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Brownlow,  William  Gannaway, 

1805-1877. 

Helps  to  the  study  of 

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>Ve*-, 


TO    THE 

3^)y^n(.J|g%|<..  OP  PRESBYTERIANISM 

I 

OR, 

A    SOPHISTICATED  EXPOSITION  OF- CALVINISM,  WITH 
HOPKINSIAN  MODIFICATIONS  AND>POLICY,.WITH 
A  VIEW  TO.  A  MORE  EASY  INTERPRE- 
TATION OF  THE  SAME. 

TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED 

K  brief  account  of  the  Ifife  and  Travels  of  the  Author;; 

INTERSPERSED  WITH  ANECDOTES. 

BY  WILLIAM  G/jiR«»;tVXLOW  , 

fcr  ihtrt  is  not?ung  covered,  that  shall  not  be  revealed;  and  hid.  thnf  shall  noi 
be  made  known Chri  st. 

'   KNOXVILLE,  T. 

'■>  F.    S.    HEISKELL,    PRINTER; 


Ik 


Entered,  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1834, 
By  William  G.  Browkiow, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Eastern  District  of  TeiQmessee. 


•'***^MII^Sfc  rfv'-*fl*>*WC..„rv..,^  L.  .:iJ!W»4'^-.-;»*r^^^^^  ,.U- 


'  -■■    ■"■■■     «-■*-%  ^^  vVXv     1..*     ,\ 


DEDICATIOIV* 

TO  THE 


Reverend  Sir; 

My  personal  acquaintance  with  you,  and  certain  knowledge  of 
your  liigh  standing-  among"  the  Methodist  Societies,  both  in  Europe  and 
America,  would  alone  have  inchned  me  to  solicit  for  this  work,  the  honor 
of  your  name  and  patronag-e.  But,  Sir,  I  must  further  confess,  the  pe- 
culiar satisfaction  which  I  feel,  in  offering  it  as  a  tribute  and  a  public  ac- 
knowledgment of  my  admiration  for  a  man,  who,  as  I  beheve,  more  diau 
any  other,  has  enriched,  by  his  labors,  the  moral  and  theological  hterature 
of  America.  Sir,  your  good  heart,  clear  and  penetrating  mind,  sound 
and  strong  judgment,  calmness  of  temper  for  deliberation,  invincible 
firmness  and  perseverance  m  what  you  undertake,  incorruptible  integritv 
and  unvarying  orthodoxy;  connected,  at  the  same  time,  with  that  self- 
distrust  peculiar  to  your  innate  modesty,  the  constant  attendant  of  pre- 
eminent virtue,  have  won  for  you  the  affections  of  manv,  and  entitled 
you  to  the  respect  of  ail. 

In  this  work,  which,  as  a  tribute  of  respect,  I  now  dedicate  to  you,  I 
liave  instituted  the  most  strict  and  impartial  enquiry  into  the  origin,'  prin- 
ciples, tendency,  and  designs,  of  the  National  Societies.  I  have  long 
cherished  a  desire  to  see  a  work  of  this  kind  brought  forward  in  this 
country ,^  and  I  am  exceedingly  gratified  that,  in  compliance  with  the  re- 
quest ot  many  of  my  intimate  friends,  I  have  carried  through  this  under- 
tiiking.  This  work  supplies  a  want  which  I  have  often  painfully  felt,  and 
.'iffords  a  manual  whicli  I  should  gladly  see  placed  in  the  hands' of  everv 
American  citizen.  I  know  of  none  which,  in  all  resnects,  would  supplV 
!ts  place.  Therefore,  Sir,  you  mav,  most  strongly  recommend  this  little 
unpretending  volume  to  the  attention  of  every  lover  of  hbertv,  and  more 
particularly,  of  our  own  country.  It  will  induce  them,  I  am  'sure,  to  ex- 
amine more  closely  than  they  have  been  accustomed  to  do,  the  designs  of 
the  Calvinistic  Sections  of  the  Church,  and  such  examination  must  prove 
interesting  to  them;  for  I  have  introduced  them  to  movements  and  meas- 
ures which,  in  a  good  degree,  have  hitherto  been  hidden  from  too  manv. 
lathe  prosecution  of  this  arduous  and  hitherto  almost  unattempted 
work,  in  this  form,  I  have  derived  greater  aid  from  your  views  and  arcrn- 
inents,  as  exhibited  in  the  different  periodicals  you  have  so  ably  edited, 
tor  the  last  eight  or  ten  years,  than  I  have  been  able  to  find  besides,  in  the 
whole  range  of  our  existant  editor  or  authorship.  With  this  powerful 
aid,  I  commenced  the  arduous  and  highly  responsible  task,  to  whichi  1 
verily  believe,  I  have  been,  in  the  providence  of  God,  especially  called. 
Jo  imagine  that  I  have  completed  this  task,  would  be  to  forget  at  oner, 
that,  like  yourself,  I  am  but  a  man,  and  therefore  liable  to  make  a  failure 
Although  I  do  not  enjoy  the  satisfaction  of  knoiuing  that  I  have  travers. 


iv  DEDICATION. 

cd  t!ie  whole  < 'length  and  breadth"  of  the  different  subjects  on  which  I 
have  written;  yet,  it  is  a  source  of  comfort  to  me,  to  be  assured  that,  1 
have  nevertheless  cast  so  much  light  on  each  subject  as  to  enable  him 
who  "runs,"  to  both  « 'read  and  understand."  How  the  following  work 
may  be  received,  I  pretend  not  to  predict.  My  first  wish  concerning  it 
is,  that  it  may  do  good  to  any:  my  second  desire,  that  it  may  assist,  what 
it  has  ever  been  my  earnest  wish  to  promote,  the  cause  of  truifc  and 
rigliteouiness.  And  that  you,  Reverend  Sir,  may  long  continue,  b^ouv 
/e:il,  and  talents,  and  lofty  erudition,  to  sustain  the  honors,  and  to  pro- 
3note  the  vital  good  of  the  Christian  cause  in  general,  and  that  of  Metho- 
disiri  in  particular,  in  these  United  States,  is  the  sincere  desire  and  fer- 
•^-ent  prayer  of, 

Reverend  and  dear  Sir, 
Your  most  obliged. 

And  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  G.  BROWNLOW. 


PREFACE 


That  a  book  must  not  appear  without  a  Preface,  is  one  amon^* 
the  many  estabHshed  customs  of  the  world:— therefore,  I  wil- 
hnsrly  submit  to  this  customary  ceremony.  I  am  aware  that 
Solomon  has  said,  that,  in  ''making  many  books  there  is  no  end,' 
that  is  to  say,  of  the  weariness  of  the  flesh,  both  to  the  Avriter 
and  reader;  yet,  notwithstanding  this,  and  even  the  great  num- 
ber of  books  which  have  been  written,  and  the  still  increasing 
spread  of  the  book  mania,  I  must  be  permitted  to  furnish  the 
Avorld's  library  with  an  additional  volume. 

2.  That  the  American  people  are  on  the  eve  of  an  eventful  pe- 
riod, cannot  be  doubted,  I  think,  by  any  one  who  can  discern 
the  "signs  of  the  times."  If  ever  a  crisis  did  exist  in  the  affairs 
of  this  Nation,  since  its  independence  was  first  achieved,  which 
called  upon  the  people  to  watch  with  sleepless  vigilance  over 
their  liberties,  that  crisis  may  be  dated  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 

O'E  THOOSA>^D  EIGHT  HUNDRED  AND  THIRTY-FOUP...       For  I  boldly  SUy, 

that  there  never  was  the  time  known,  since  the  dark  days  of  the 
revolution,  when  the  liberties  of  our  country  w^ere  so  much  en- 
dangered,  as  at  the  present.     The  good  people  of  the  United 
JStates,  having  had  full  evidence  of  the  excellency  of  their  pres- 
ent Constitution,  which  guarantees  cmVand  religious  liberties  to 
every  class  of  our  citizens,  justly  abhor  the  idea  of  giving  to  any 
one  of  the  denominations  of  christians,  that  exists  among  us,  a 
preference  above  the  rest.     The  right  of  VForshipping  God  ac- 
cording to  the  dictates  of  conscience,  is  a  right  that  is  wisely 
guaranteed  and  secured  to  every  individual  within  the  confines 
of  this  great  commonwealth,  by  our  excellent  constitution.     It 
recognizes  no  sect — it  restrains  and  punishes  persecution,  when 
it  assumes  to  itself  the  semblance  of  violence: — but  it  cannot  cast 
out  the  demons  of  prejudice  and  misrepresentation.     Under  our 
Constitution,  the  dignified  preacher  of  every  persuasion  pursues 
the  course  which  conscience  points  out  to  him,  in  edifying  his 
flock,  without  the  fear  of  molestation,  or  with  no  other  interrup- 
tion than  that  which  occasionally  arises  from  the  attempts  of 
underling  clerical  scavengers  to  cast  the  mud  of  misrepresen- 
tation in  his  way.     That  the  American  people  should  be  jealous 
of  their  rights,  in  this  particular,  is  by  no  means  a  matter  of  as- 
tonishment.    That  incipient  eflbrts  have  been   made,   and  are 


vl  PREFACE. 

still  making-,  to  grasp  at  political  power  and  pre-eminence,  and 
that  many  ambitious  hearts  still  palpitate  from  a  strong  desire  to 
become  the  "favored  few,*'  in  order  that  they  may  enjoy  the  fruit* 
of  political  superiority,  cannot  be  denied.  It  is  a  truth  too  well 
known,  to  require  proof,  that,  Christianity  iiever  did  flourish,  and 
it  neye/- ti'i7/ flourish  under  an  arbitrary  form  of  government,  es- 
pecially where  the  Church  is  wedded  to  the  State  by  means  of  a 
RELIGIOUS  ESTABLISHMENT.  In  all  such  cases,  (and  there  have  been 
many.)  as  the  history  of  the  Church  and  of  the  world  will  prove, 
Christianity  has  become  a  poor,  miserable,  forlorn,  degraded 
superstition,  but  little  better  than  Paganism  itself.  In  looking 
over  the  history  of  past  times,  we  see  religious  incendiaries  the 
most  dangerous  and  formidable  characters  on  record — fanning 
the  flames  of  dissention—bursting  the  bands  of  national  alliance; 
drenching  communities  in  blood;  and  hurling  devastation  and 
ruin  amongst  unoffending  and  devoted  victims.  In  these  two 
w^ords — CIVIL  and  religious— are  contained  all  the  relations  which 
man  hold  with  man,  and  man  with  his  God.  And  knowing,  as 
"we  do,  that  both  civil  and  religious  society  are  prone  to  slum- 
ber over  their  rights,  and  suffer  them  to  be  taken  away,  we  can- 
not insist  too  strongly  nor  yet  too  frequently,  upon  the  necessity 
of  watchfulness  on  this  momentous  subject.  Therefore,  if  real 
danger  is  to  be  apprehended  from  the  movements  of  any  one 
sect,  it  is  but  proper  and  right,  that  the  alarm  should  be  sounded 
in  season,  that  the  ambitious  aspirants  for  civil  povi^er,  may  be 
frustrated  in  their  unhallowed,  diabolical,  and  unlawful  designs, 
and  be  held  up  to  the  reproach  and  indignation  of  every  lover 
of  freedom.  That  the  Presbyterian,  Hopkinsian,  and  Congre- 
gational Calvinists,  have  designs  of  this  nature,  can  no  longer 
be  doubted  by  the  most  superficial  observer  of  passing  events, 
^"^hen,  however,  I  name  Presbyterians,  Hopkinsians,  or  Con- 
gregationalists,  in  the  following  pages,  in  referrence  to  any  great 
scheme,  or  political  designs,  I  use  the  names  as  synonymous.  For 
really,  when  the  Congregational  ministers  come  to  the  south  or 
w^est,  they  frequently  become  pastors  of  Presbyterian  churches; 
so  that,  for  all  important  purposes,  they  are  essentially  Preshytc- 
Hans.  Indeed,  Presbyterians,  Hopkinsians,  Congregationalists, 
Dutch  Reformed,  Associate  Reformed,  and  Scotch  Presbyteri- 
ans, are  radically  and  strictly  one  in  doctrines,  in  ordination, 
and  to  a  great  extent,  in  church  discipline  likewise.  And  I  do 
not  thus  allude  to  these  people,  with  a  view  to  sound  an  unneces- 
sary alarm  in  this  land,  where  I  think  it  hardly  probable,  how- 
ever much  it  may  be  desired  or  sought  dfter,  for  any  one  sect  to 
gain  such  a  predominant  influence  as  to  oppress  or  violently  per- 


PREFACE.  vii 

secute  another.     In  the  event  of  such  a  catastrophe  however,  I 
for  one,  should  be  unwillingf  to  trust  myself  in  the  hands  of  any 
such  predominant  sect,  as  history  abundantly  confirms  the  truth 
of  the  remark,  that  give  men  the  power,  and  they  vv'ill  soon  per- 
suade themselves  that  it  is  'doing"  God  service"  to  persecute 
their  neighbors,  even  for  difference  in  religious  belief.     There  is 
indeed  no  bigotry  so  intolerable  as  religious   bigotry,   nor  any 
hatred  so  unrelenting  as  religious  hatred.     Let  the  melancholy 
history  of  the  church  confirm  the  truth  of  this  remark.     On  this 
account  the  venerable  patriots  of  the  Revolution,  who  founded 
this  republic,  instructed  from  the  pages  of  history,  excluded,  by 
the  constitution  which  binds  us  together,  and  which  is  the  su- 
preme few  of  the  land,  the  possibility,   so  long  as  that  instrument 
shall  be  held  sacred,  of  any  sectarian  preference   or  religious  es- 
tablishment.    The  whole  frame  of  our  civil  society,  therefore 
must  be  altered,  and  an  entire  new  order  of  things  established 
before  intolerance  can  be  introduced  into  our  civil  code,  or  reli- 
gious persecution  become  legalized.    This,  however,  can  be  ef- 
fected upon  Dr.  Ely^s  plan,   which  I  exhibit  in  the  following 
pages.    At  present,  therefore,  we  ask  not  for  toleration,  because 
there  is  no  power  to  tolerate;  nor  do  we  fear  persecution,  for 
there  is  no  power  to  persecute.     No,  verily,  if  there  be  a  spot  in 
the  wide  world  where  liberty,  both  civil  and  religious,  are  en- 
joyed, it  is  in  America!     If  there  be  any  one  portion   of  the 
whole  earth,  where  the  human  mind,  unfettered  by  tyrannical  in- 
fluence, may  rise  to  the  summit  of  moral  and  intellectual  grand- 
eur, it  is  North  America!     Yes,  the  tree  of  liberty  has  been 
planted  in  America — watered,  enriched,  and  pruned  by  salutary 
laws;  it  has  extended  its  branches  north  and  south  over  the 
western  hemisphere,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  tyrants;  they 
have  overhung  the  Atlantic;  and  are  now  rapidly  spreading 
themselves  all  over  Europe.    The  despot  of  France  lets  fall  the 
sceptre  from  his  palsied  grasp,   and  hides  himself  in  what  he 
may  consider  the  last  retreat,   or  strongest  hold  of  European 
oppression.    The  Belgians  and  Poles  having  caught  the  spirit, 
have  burst  their  bands,   and  hurled  the  tyrants  from  thrones  of 
fancied  security;  and  I  fondly  hope  the  time  will  come,  and  is 
fast  approaching,  when  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  will  bask  be- 
neath its  genial  influence;  and  when  the  withering  breath  of  the 
hireling  slave  or  minion  of  power  will  no  longer  nip  the  buds  of 
liberty.    I  fondly  hope  the  time  will  soon  come,  when  it  may  be 
said  of  every  nation,  as  it  ie  justly  said  of  ours,  **thi8  is  the  land 
of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave."    And  in  the  meantime, 


vUl  PREFACE. 

may  the  goddess  of  liberty  never  take  a  final  flight  from  Amer- 
ica! 

3.  It  has  been  said  by  the  excellent  Bishop  Home,  that,  "in 
times  when  erroneous  and  noxious  tenets  are  diffused,  all  men 
should  embrace  some  opportunity  to  bear  their  testimony 
against  them."  It  will  be  allowed  by  every  dispassionate  ob- 
server, that  if  "erroneous  and  noxious  tenets"  were  ever  diffus- 
ed among  men  in  any  age,  they  are  eminently  so  at  the  present. 
And  let  those  who  are  accustomed  to  rail  out  against  controver- 
sy and  doctrinal  discussions,  but  consider  this,  that,  had  it  not 
been  for  controversy^  Romish  Priests  would  now  be  feeding  us 
with  Latin  nmsses  and  a  wafer  god!  In  the  controversies  of  the 
last  eight  years,  I  have  felt  a  deep  interest,  and  with  their  results 
in  most  instances,  I  have  been  greatly  delighted.  Perhaps  this 
is  owing  to  the  fact,  that  I  always  believed  Methodism  to  be  the 
most  consistent  and  most  scriptural  system  in  the  world, and  hav- 
ing imbibed  these  sentiments  in  very  early  life,  I  was  always  glad 
when  its  enemies  were  defeated  and  its  excellencies  brought  to 
view.  I  have  occasionally  heard  respectable  members  of  even 
the  Methodist  Church  say,  that  there  was  too  much  of  contro- 
versy in  our  country,  and  that  it  was  high  time  these  wars  were 
brought  to  an  end.  I  must  confess,  however,  that  my  views  of 
this  subject  are  quite  different;  for  it  is  very  evident  that  the 
prophets  of  old,  and  Christ  and  his  apostles  were  always,  in 
some  way  or  other,  combatting  the  errors  of  their  day.  So  also 
of  the  Fathers,  as  they  are  called — they  were  men  of  war.— 
But  how  was  it  with  the  Church  of  Rome  when  there  were 
none  to  controvert  her  dogmas'?  How  w^as  it  with  the  Church 
of  England  before  the  days  of  John  Wesley?  And  how  was  it 
in  the  New  England  States  before  Methodism  found  its  way 
there?  Were  not  the  shepherds  in  each  case  living  at  their  ease 
in  ceiled  houses,  while  the  true  temple  of  God  was  lying  in  ru- 
ins? Were  they  not  living  on  the  fat  of  the  land  and  on  the 
fleece,  instead  of  caring  for  the  flock?  Were  they  not  lording 
it  over  God's  heritage? — and  were  they  not  making  the  people 
'hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water"  for  them?  At  a  pro- 
tracted meeting  in  New  England,  in  1832,  it  was  remarked  by  a 
Calvinistic  minister,  "Brethren,  we  must  have  a  revival!  Time 
was  when  our  ministers  could  live  without  revivals.  Their  sal- 
J^ry  was  sure  whether  they  had  revivals  in  their  congregations 
or  not;  but  it  is  not  so  now!"  This  gentleman  alluded  to  the 
fe/Me  Za«;s  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  which  laws  made 
ample  provisions  for  the  wants  of  this  order  of  clergymen! 

4.  In  the  following  pages  I  have  brought  to  view  the  nature, 


PREFACE.  ix 

tendency,  and  obvious  design  of  the  JYational  Societies,  which  to 
some  may  appear  of  very  subordinate  importance,  but,  in  fact, 
of  very  great  magnitude,  if  we  view  all  their  bearings  and  con- 
sequences.    And  in  this  work,  the  reader  will  at  once  possess 
himself  of  a  valuable  mine  of  information  on  the  subject  of  the 
Benevolent  Societies  of  the  day,  and  be  naturally  assisted  in  ac- 
quiring that  accurate  perception,  which  will  be  his  safest  guide 
in  selecting  charitable  objects,  upon  which  to  bestow  his  goods.— 
But  so  far  from  being  opposed  to  Sunday  Schools ,  Bible,  Tract, 
and  Missionary  Societies,  and  other  schemes  for  the  promotion 
of  religion,  or  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  my  fellow- 
beings,  I  declare  myself  to  be  their  avowed  friend  and  supporter, 
I  am  opposed  to  American  Societies,  because,  as  Dr.   Miller  of 
Princeton,  N.  J.  justly  says,  they  are   "irrespo>'sible  National 
Societies."     There  is  the  American  Bible  Society,  American 
Tract  Society,  American  Sunday   School   Society,   American 
Foreign  Missionary  Society,  American  Home  Missionary  Soci- 
ety, American  Education  Society,  American   Peace   Society, 
American  Seamen's  Friend  Society,  American  Mite   Society, 
American  Discipline  Society,  American  Jew  Society,  &c.  &c. 
All  these  are  but  so  many  tributaries  pouring  into  the  NATION- 
AL AMAZON,    which,   if  not  destroyed  in  some  way,  will» 
sooner  or  later,  like  Noah's  flood,   inundate  this  virgin  hemis- 
phere, and  destroy  our  peace  and  happiness  forever.     This  cen- 
tral fountain   of  sectarian  intelligence,  is  already   gushing  its 
waves  of  unholy  impulse  in  equal  measure  to  the  extremities  of 
this  continent.     These  societies  have  in  sacerdotal  hands,  con- 
stituted a  kind  of  mercenary  screw^,  by  means  of  which,  more 
money  has  been  wrenched  out  of  the  pockets  and  purses  of  the 
American  people,  than  perhaps  all  the  African  slave  trade  ever 
has  accumulated!     The  latter  dealt  in  human   bones  and  blood 
and  sinews:  the  others  trade  in  human  souls!     The  lust  of  gold 
was  the  entire  object  of  the  one:  gold  and  power  are  the  objects 
of  the  others!     These  societies  are  the  bulwarks  of  Presbyteri- 
an religion,  that  is  to  say,  the  bulwarks  of  their  meat  and  bread; 
the  bulwarks  of  their  young  ministers  living  without  labm' ov 
talents  to  preach,  on  the  earnings  of  the  more  meritorious  part 
of  the  community.      And  the  reason  why  these  young  men, 
huz  and  fly  about  so  much  like  hornets,  when  any  thing  is  said 
against  these  societies  is,  they  know  very  well,  that  if  these  in- 
stitutions are  put  down,  they  will  be  left  in  a  condition  similar 
to  that  of  the  buckle-makers  when  shoe-strings  came  in  vogue, 
viz,  out  of  business!     For  like  the  missionaries  sent  to  labor 
among  the  German  nations,  Bavarians,    Saxons,  &c.  in  the 


X  PREFACE. 

eighth  century,  they  are  more  zealous  in  exacting  tithes  and  ex- 
tending their  authority,  than  in  propagating  the  sublime  truths 
and  precepts  of  the  gospel.  Or  like  Charlemagne's  zeal  for  the 
conversion  of  the  Huns,  Frieslanders,  and  Saxons,  they  are 
more  animated  by  the  suggestion  of  ambition,  than  by  a  princi- 
ple of  true  pieiy;  and  like  him,  their  main  object  in  these  benev- 
olent exploits  is,  to  subdue  the  nations  under  their  dominion, 
and  to  tame  them  to  the'w  national  yoke 

5.  It  isgenerally  known,  and  .is  generally  disapproved  of  too, 
that  the  Presbyterian  clergy,  in  order  to  effect  certain  important 
purposes,  and  at  the  same  time  degrade  and  undervalue  the  min- 
isters of  every  other  denomination,  represent  the  whole  Wes- 
tern country,  as  being  in  a  state  of  absolute  darkness,  without  a 
single  token  or  ciue  to  a  better  state,  and  its  inhabitants  as  wor- 
shipping an  "unknown''  or  anonymous  God!  That  there  is  a 
measure  of  light  among  the  people  of  the  "Great  West,"  they 
indeed  allow;  but  like  the  lurid  gleam  of  a  volcano,  it  is  not  alight 
which  guides,  but  which  bewilders  and  terrifies  them.  Yes,  by 
these  men,  the  veil  of  oblivion  is  spread  over  the  better  half  of 
the  American  continent,  of  which  the  appalling  picture,  drawn 
by  the  pen  of  inspiration  in  the  hand  of  St.  Paul,  in  the  first 
chapter  of  his  Epistle  to  the  Uomans,  revolting  and  humiliating 
as  it  is,  affords  but  too  faithful  a  portraiture!  Indeed,  what  the 
apostle  there  says  of  certain  dignified  Grecian  philosophers, 
these  men  have  said  of  the  people  of  the  west: — "Professing 
themselves  to  be  wise,  they  became  fools;  and  changed  the  glo- 
ry of  the  incorruptible  God  into  an  image  made  like  to  corrupti- 
ble man,  and  to  birds,  and  four-footed  beasts,  and  creeping  things!" 
And  even  when,  by  means  of  the  pious  instructions  of  these 
would-be  dictators,  it  might  be  said  of  us,  that  v^^e  "knew  God," 
still  we  "glorified  him  not  as  God,  neither  were  thankful,  but  be- 
came vain  in  our  imagination?:,"  and  our  "foolish  hearts  were 
darkened;"  while  w^e  have  even  "changed  the  truth  of  God  into 
a  lie,  and  worshipped  and  served  the  creature  more  than  the 
Creator,  who  is  blessed  forever!"  The  author  of  this  work,  i 
therefore,  has  endeavored  to  disabuse  his  brethren  and  country, 
as  well  as  testify  against  every  encroachment  upon  the  kingdom 
of  Christ,  audits  laws  and  ordinances.  But  I  should  be  blintl 
indeed,  to  every  thing  like  understanding,  not  to  be  aware,  that, 
in  olfering  this  volume  to  the  public,  I  am  exposing  myself^  little 
and  unknown  as  I  am,  to  much  obloquy.  This,  however,  is 
with  me,  a  matter  of  but  little  consequence.  My  motives,  1 
knovj,  ave  of  the  purest  kind;  and  hence,  lam  willing  that  the 


PREFACE.  XX 

breath  of  Calvinian  malice  should,  like  the  wind,  "blow  where 
itiisteth,"  and  I  shall  not  pause  to  enquire  "whence  itcomeih  or 
whither  it  goeth."  My  object,  then,  in  furnishing  the  public  with 
this  volume,  is,  as  will  appear  from  its  pages,  to  supply  what 
has  long  been  a  desideratum  in  the  department  of  religious  news; 
and  I  trust,  its  circulation  among  my  fellow-citizens,  w^ill  be  as 
extensive  as  its  importance  deserves.  The  information  w^hich 
it  contains,  I  think,  is  admirably  condensed;  while  very  little 
extraneous  matter  has  been  inserted.  On  the  whole,  it  Is  evi- 
dent that  such  a  work,  fair  in  its  statements,  judicious  in  its  selec- 
tions, properly  comprehensive  in  its  scope,  and  every  way  bold 
and  independent  in  its  aspect,  is  called  for,  in  this  age  so  pregnant 
w^ith  events.  As  an  individual,  I  do  not  profess  to  be  free  from 
all  prejudice  of  education,  and  from  all  attachment\to  creeds, 
confessions,  disciplines,  &;c.  in  such  a  degree  as  to  make  it  cer- 
tain that  my  views  may  not  sometimes  be  greatly  affected  by 
them.  I  profess  to  be  a  sectarian  without  bigotry,  adhering 
strictly  to  all  the  doctrines  and  usages  of  the  Church  to  which 
1  belong;  yet  looking  upon  every  good  man  as  my  brother,  and 
regarding  him  as  such,  abstract  from  any  particle  of  sectarian 
bias.  Those  who  find  fault  with  the  doctrines  and  usages  of  my 
church,  I  am  disposed,  in  obedience  to  a  divine  mjunction,  to 
rehuke  shai-ply.  And  indeed,  no  one  is  free  from  this  preposses- 
sion; though  some  who  have  identified  themselves  with  a  par- 
ticular sect,  have  made,  and  continue  to  make  pretensions  of  this 
kind.  Nothing  is  more  sickening  to  me,  than  to  hear  a  man,  or 
a  sect  of  people  boasting  of  their  *' Catholic  spirit,"  or  friendly 
feelings  towards  all  others.  The  word  Cathoiic,  if  I  understand 
it,  is  compounded  of  two  Greek  words  that  signify  universal;  and 
to  talk  about  a  particular  universal  sect  is  absurd — grossly  ab- 
surd. The  inspired  penmen  alone  have  succeeded  in  trampling 
sectarian  bias  entirely  under  foot.  That  a  man  is  not  conscious 
of  being  swayed  by  it,  is  no  proof  that  it  does  not  exert  a  power- 
ful influence  over  him;  since  it  is  its  nature  to  blind  the  eyes  of 
himwhose  judgment  it  thus  warps.  When,  therefore,  I  speak 
in  the  indicative  mood;  and  say  that  this  or  that  means  thus  and 
so,  the  reader  will  not  understand  me  to  intend  any  thing  mo  re 
than  that  th'ks  is  true  as  I  believe. 

6.  A  work  of  this  kind,  should  indeed,  emanate  from  a  mind, 
rich  in  its  acquaintance  with  the  vast  and  ever-accumUlating 
storesof  knowledge,  which  criticism,  history,  and  theology  in- 


xii  PREFACE. 

close  in  their  wide  domains.     The  author  of  this  work,  howev- 
er,  has  never  boasted  of  his  genius,  of  his  diligence,  of  his  deep 
theological  research,  nor  yet,  of  his  critical  philological  know- 
ledge!    Besides  this,  the  work  herewith  submitted,  is  not  for  the 
instruction  of  divines,  lexicographers,   critics,  commentators, 
philosophers  and  travellers,  of  all  ages  and  nations;  but  for  the 
common  people  of  these  United  States.    I  have  been  more  con- 
cerned about  the  matter  than  about  the  manner,  about  ivhat  I  pub- 
lished than  about  the  style  in  which  it  should  appear,  and  conse- 
quently, my  pen  has  moved  in  my  fingers  with  very  little  regard 
to  elegancies.    Again,  though  a  lover  of  order,  variety,  and  of 
grandeur  myself)  yet,  my  style  is  rugged,  inharmonious,  irregu- 
lar, incoherent,  and  so  enfeebled  by  contraction,  that  I  have  des- 
spaired  of  ever  carrying  my  readers  along  with  that  breathless 
impetuosity,  so  pecular  to  the  writing  of  a  Wesley,  a  Fletcher, 
a  Clark,  a  Baxter,  a  Watson,  or  a  Bangs.    Poor  me!    Had  my 
style  in  former  days,  been  more  diversified;  or  had  I  in  the  gen- 
eral, abounded  more  in  metaphysics  and  refinements;  or  had  I 
lurked  behind  the  battlements  and  under  the  forms  of  logic  and 
metaphysics;  instead  of  dealing  in  the  most  plain  terms,  I  should 
now  have  fewer  enemies.    But  alas!  my  exuberence  and  re- 
dundancy of  language,  may  be  justly  considered  one,   among 
nhe  many  other  ivinning  ways  I  have  to  make  folks  hate  me!     But 
when  I  write,  preach,  or  converse,  I  make  it  a  point  to  call  no 
man  master,  and  to  bow  the  knee  to  no  system  as  such;  nor  do  I 
seek  the  applause  or  dread  the  frowns  of  any.     While,    then,  I 
meet,  perhaps  with  the  approbation  of  some,  I  must  of  course 
expect  the  vehement  dissent  and  bitter  railings  of  others.     I 
have  made  up  my  mind,  therefore,   to  bear  with  all  this,  and  to 
bear  with  it  patiently  and  firmly;  or  else  it  would  have  been  bet- 
ter for  me  in  the  end,  never  to  have  published. 

7.  In  a  work  of  this  kind,  no  one  will  expect  to  find  the  differ- 
ent articles  to  be  cwifiVe/s'  original;  and  in  this  volume,  they  are 
not  all  so  in  whole,  though  they  all  are  in  part.  ,  Some,  then,  of  the 
following  chapters  are  sinc%  original  compositions;  others  are 
copied  and  abridged  from  the  most  approved  and  authentic  pe- 
riodicals of  the  day,  and  the  whole  greatly  improved  and  en- 
larged by  the  author.  With  regard  to  the  sources  cf  informa- 
tion, which  I  have  explored,  I  acknowledge  myself  chiefiy  in- 
debted to  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  the  Methodist 
Magazine  and  Quarterly  Review,  the  Holston  Messenger,  and 


"^^  PREFACE. 


xin 


the  Gospel  Herald.  Also,  I  have  constantly  had  before  me,  while 
writing,  the  various  Reports,  Addresses,  Constitutions,  &c.  of 
the  Societies  whose  principles  are  herein  investigated;  and  like- 
wise, the  standard  tcritings  of  those  Churches,  whose  doctrines 
are  herein  brought  to  view.  And  to  accomplish  this  work,  in 
the  midst  of  so  many  materials,  and  of  my  other  pressing  and 
official  engagements,  in  so  short  a  time  as  I  have  done,  has  beesi 
to  me,  no  easy  task.  The  Calvinian  doctrines  herein  opposed, 
have  been  the  grand  arena,  if  I  may  so  express  myself,  on 
which  theological  combatants  have  been  contending,  ever  since 
the  third  century,  and  perhaps  from  an  earlier  period. 

I  despise  the  cruelty  of  the  Calvinian  system,  which,  to  hush 
the  alarms  of  guilty  man,  w^ould  rob  the  Deity  of  his  perfections, 
and  stamp  a  degrading  mockery  upon  his  lawsl  Calvinism,  as 
Dr.  Fisk  of  New  England  very  justly  remai'ks,  assumes  a  thous- 
and different  appearances,  equally  dangerous  and  destructive 
in  all  its  diversified  transformations.  But  time  would  fail  me  to 
tell  of  the  obscurities  into  which  the  system  runs,  but  which  it  is 
unable  to  dissipate — of  its  unresolved  doubts — of  the  mysteries 
through  which  it  vainly  tries  to  grope  its  uncertain  way— of  its 
%veary  and  fruitless  efforts — of  its  unutterable  longings — and,  of 
its  soul-shivering  dogmas.  Calvinism  engenders  a  thousand 
evil  habits  which,  like  the  imps  of  sin  in  Milton,  "Yelp  all  around 
it!"     But  more  of  this  in  the  sequel. 

8.  Once  more: — In  publishing  to  the  world,  the  result  of  my 
investigations  on  the  several  subjects  herein  discussed,  I  do  it^ 
with  unfeigned  diffidence,  and  with  a  trembling  sense  of  the  res- 
ponsibility which  I  incur  by  so  doing, — the  opinions  of  many  to 
the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

I  repeat,  that  in  presenting  this  work  to  my  fellow^- citizens,  1 
do  it  not  with  a  cold  indifference,  but  with  my  most  ardent  wish- 
es for  their  improvement  and  prosperity;  and  for  the  continued 
increase  of  the  wealth,  the  learning,  and  the  political,  moral  and 
religious  elevation  of  character,  and  the  glory  of  my  country— 
my  whole  country. 

I  remain,  gentle  reader, 

With  the  most  sincere  respect. 
Your  very  humble  servant. 

WILLIAM  G.  BROWNLOW, 


I 


WA^'S  t 


SEIXG  AN  ENQUIRY  INTO  THE  ORIGIN,  DESIGN  AND  TEN- 
DENCY, OF  THE  NATIONAL  SOCIETIES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

FJSE,    PROGRESS  AND  IMPORTANCE,  OF  SUNDAY  SCHOOLS. 

That  the  Sabbath  is  a  Divine  institution,  and  one,  too,  of 
perpetual  oblij^ation,  will  not  be  denied  by  those  who  have 
made  the  Bible  their  study.     And,  that  the  Sabbath  had  an 
earlier  origin  than  Judaism,  is  a  truth  which  does  not  depend 
on  doubtful  inference.     We  have   an  explicit  account  of  its 
being  instituted  immediately  after  the  creation  of  the  world. 
The  inspired  historian,  having  represented  the  great  Creator 
as  resting   from  his  work  on  the  seventh  day,  adds,  "And 
God  blessed  the  seventh,  day  and   sanctified   it,  because  that 
in  it  He  had  rested  from  all  his  work  which  God  created  and 
made. "     When,  therefore,  God   sanctified  the  seventh  day, 
He  reserved  it,  set  it  apart  for  himself,  to  be   spent  in  reli- 
gious exercises;  declaring,  at  the  same   time,  that  this  mode 
of  spending  it  should  be  made  beneficial  to  mankind.     Again : 
on  tracing  the  personal  history  of  our  Savior,  as  recorded  by 
the  evangelists,  he  is  seen  regularly   devoting  the  Sabbath  to 
the  exercises  of  religion,  and  assembling  with  the  congrega- 
tion at  the  public  vv^orship  of  God;  and  on  examining  those 
of  his  actions  to  wiiich  the  Jews  so  seriously  objected,  it  is 
evident  they  were  performed,  not  with  a  view  to  weaken  the 
Sabbath,  but  to   vindicate   it  from  those  unauthorized  addi- 
tions with  which  it  had  been  encumbered,  by  the  corruptions 
of  the  Pharisees. 

Once  more:— In  every  age  of  Christianity,  on  this  day  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  has  manifested  His  gracious  pres- 
ence in  the  sanctuary,  making  the  religious  ordinances  there 
administered  the  source  of  instruction,  and  comfort,  and  en- 
couragement to  His  people,  and  rendering  His  word  '^quick 
and  powerful''  in  the  awakening  and  turning  of  sinners  from 
the  error  of  their  wa3^s.  On  this  day  God  has  ever  granted 
His  people  special  blessings,  and  has  signally  furthered,  and 
graciously  prospered  the  endeavors  of  pious   teachers  and 


16  HELPS    TO    THE    STI'DY 

heads  of  families  to  imbue  the  minds  of  their  pupils,  chil- 
dren and  servants,  with  religious  knowledge,  and  to  bring 
them  under  the  influence  of  Christian  principles.  And  on 
this  day,  especially,  the  religious  instructions  of  the  Sabbath 
school  teacher,  have  been,  in  different  branches  ot  the  Chris- 
tian church,  signally  owned  ot  God:  the  seriously  disposed 
youth  has  ever  found  them,  on  this  day,  peculiarly  conducive 
to  the  furtherance  of  vital  godliness,  Tiie  divine  blessing 
thus  conferred  on  the  Sabbath  day,  is  a  standing  proof,  is  per- 
petual evidence  so  to  speak,  of  the  importance  of  continuing 
a  system  of  Sabbath  school  instructions,  not  only  in  this,  that, 
or  the  other  branch  of  the  church,  but  in  all  her  branches. — 
But  more  of  this  in  the  close  of  this  chaptei-. 

It  has  been  ascertained  that  Sunday  schools  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  youth,  were  instituted,  to  some  partial  extent,  in  Ger- 
many, nearly  a  century  ago.  But  the  effective  system  now 
in  operation,  and  which  has  proved  to  be  a  blessing  to  thous- 
ands, owes  its  origin  to  one  whose  name  will  be  repeated 
with  delight  by  thousands  who  are  now  laboring  in  the  cause, 
and  by  generations  yet  to  come.  Robert  Raikes,  of  Glou- 
cester, England,  and  a  member  of  the  High  Church,  com- 
menced liis  operations  in  the  year  1784.  Having  under  his 
control  at  that  time,  a  periodical,  his  views  were  made  known 
through  this  channel,  and  copied  into  nearly  all  the  London 
papers.  He  seenis  to  have  had  two  objects  in  view  in  his 
laudable  undertaking.  1st.  To  prevent  the  children  of  the 
poor  from  spending  the  Sabbath  in  idleness,  filth,  and  mis- 
chief. 2d.  To  instruct  them  in  the  first  rudiments  of  learn- 
ing and  the  Christian  religion.  The  Rev.  Richard  Raikes, 
of  the  Church  of  England,  and  brother  of  the  founder  of 
Sunday  schools,  ardently  seconded  the  efforts  of  his  revered 
brother,  soon  after  he  commenced  this  labor  of  love. 

The  pious  and  excellent  Dr.  Home,  a  Bishop  of  the  same 
Church,  was  one  of  the  first,  if  not  the  ver}^  first,  to  avow 
himself  an  advocate  for  Sunday  schools  from  the  pulpit. — 
But  I  should  be  doing  great  injustice  to  the  memory  of  that 
great  and  good  man,  John  Wesley,  not  to  say,  that  he  was 
also  among  the  first,  and  most  ardent  supporters  of  these 
schools.  In  the  eighty-first  year  of  liis  age,  as  may  be  seen 
in  his  Journal,  he  uses  thefollovving  language:  ^'Sunday,  ISth 
July,  1754,  I  preached  morning  and  afternoon,  in  Bingley 
church, — before  service  I  stepped  into  the  Sunday  school, 
which  contains  two  hundred  and  forty  children,  tiiught  every 
Sunday,  by  several  masters.  So,  many  children  in  one  par- 
ish are  restrained  from  open  sin,  and  taught  a  little  good  man- 


OF  PRESBTTERIAXISM.  17 

ners,  at  least,  as  well  as  to  read  the  Bible.  I  find  these  schools 
springing  up   wherever  I  go.     Perhaps   God   may   have  a 
deeper  end  therein  than  men  are  aware  of.     Who  knows  but 
some  of  these  schools  may  become  nurseries  for  christians?'' 
No  sooner  had  Mr.  Wesley  heard  of  Mr.  Ra ikes'  plan,  than 
he  approved  it,  and  published  an  account  of  it  in  the  Armin- 
ian  Alagazine  for  January,  17S5,  and  exhorted  all  the  Meth- 
odist Societies  to  imitate  this  benevolent  and  laudable  exam- 
ple.    They  immediately  took  his  advice,  and  laboring,  hard- 
working men  and  women,  began  to  instruct  the  children  of 
their  neighbors,  and  go  with  them  to  the  house  of  God  on  the 
Sabbath  day.  The  consequence  was,  many  thousands  of  those 
who  had  been  rambling  on  the  barren  mountains  of  sin  and 
folly,  began  to  repay  the  christian  labor  bestowed  upon  them, 
by  becoming  useful  members  of  society,    and  not  a  few  of 
them  continued  to  the  day  of  their  death,   both  to  know  and 
adorn  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  of  God  their  Savior.  Charity 
sermons  were  soon  preached  throughout  every  part  of  Eng- 
land,  in  behalf  of  these  schools,   and  considerable  sums  of 
money  were  raised  for  their  support.     The  Sunday  schools  in 
those  days,  it  will  be  recollected,  were  ordinary  schools,  only 
taught  on  Sunday,  by  hiied  masters.   There  were,  so  early  as 
1S02,  thirty  thousand  children  instructed  in  Sabbath  schools 
by  the  Methodists  of  England,  on  the  Lord's  day.    The  con- 
ductors of  the  Methodist  Sunday  schools  in  London, formed  in 
18d2,  a  committee  for  corresponding  with  persons  in  the  coun- 
try, engaged  in  the  same  good  work,  with  a  view  of  extending 
and  establishing  Sunday  schools  on  the   plan  of  employing 
gi^atiiitous  teachers  only,  in  the  different  parts  of  England, 
Thus,  it  will  be  seen,  that  the  Methodists  in  this,  as  well  as 
in  all  other  matters  of  religion,  have  been  the  first  to  do  hi\<i- 
ness  on  the  gratuitouspla?i.     They  distributed  some' hun- 
dreds of  the  proposed  plans,  and  were  very   prosperous  in 
their  efforts.     Others  of  the  Episcopal,  Independent,  Pres- 
byterian and  Baptist  denominations  also  engaged  in  this  good 
work,  and  great  and  many  have  been  the  blessings  attending 
the  labor  of  that  one  man,  Mr  Raikes,  and  many  will  rise  up', 
no  doubt,  in  the  great  day  of  judgment,  and  call  him  bless- 
ed. 

For  the  information  of  such  as  may  not  be  apprized  of 
the  fact,  I  will  just  say,  that  Mrs.  Bradburn,  consort  of  Rev,. 
Samuel  Bradburn,  of  the  British  Wesleyan  Connexion,  first 
suggested  to  Mr.  Raikes,  the  plan  of  instructing  children  in 
Sabbath  schools.  Commiserating  the  case  of  a  large  number 
of  ragged  children,  Mr.  Raikes  and  Mrs..Bradburn  together, 
ii2. 


IS  HELPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

conducted  the  first  company  of  Sunday  scholars  to  the 
church,  exposed  to  public  laughter  as  they  passed  along  the 
slreet  with  their  unpromising  charge.  Thus,  it  will  be  seen, 
that  Sunday  schools,  under  God  owe  their  origin  to  MetJio- 
dism. 

Then,  in  the  year  1785,  schools  were  originated  in  various 
places  in  the  neighborliood  of  London,  and  as  early  as  1789, 
were  introduced  into  Wales,  Scotland   and  Ireland.     About 
the  same  time   they   were   commenced   in   America.     The 
Presbyterians  claim  the  honor  of  establishing  the  first  Sab- 
bath school,  in  the  present  form  in  the  United   States,  in  the 
cit}' of  Pittsburg,  in    Pennsylvania,  in  1809.     But  in  this, 
our  Presbyterian   friends  are  wretchedly   mistaken.     They 
did,  it  is  true,  form  a  small  ^'moral  society"    in  that  city,  in 
1809,  which,  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  September  in  that  year, 
was  converted  into  a  Sunday  school;  but  this  being  so  late  as 
1809,    proves   them  to  have  been  several  years  behind  the 
news!     Bishop  White,  of  the  Piotestant  Episcopal  Church, 
and  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,    was  the   first  President,  of 
the  first  organized  Sabbath  school  in  the  United  States;  and  if 
I  am  not  greatly  deceived,  the  Bishop  still  holds  the  same  of- 
fice to  this  day.  The  first  Sunday  school,  put  in  operation  in 
Am.erica,  on  the  plan  oi  volunteer  teachers,  was  in  Christ 
Church,  Boston;  and  in  this  school  alone,  since  its  oro;aniza- 
tion,  upwards  of  2000    children  have    been  instructed.     la 
the  year  1811,  a  flourishing  Sunday  school  was  organized  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Rev.  Rob- 
ert May,  a  missionary  from  London,  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land.    In  the  year  1813,  another  Sunday  school  was  organ- 
ized by  a  benevolent  gentleman  in  the  city  of  Albany,   and 
continued  in  existence  for  a  considerable  time.     Li  the  year 
1514,  and  in  the  month  of  June,  tvvo  benevolent  ladies  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  opened  a  Sunday  school  for  adults  and 
children,  in  which  it  is  said  between  eighty  and  ninety  were 
collected  and  taught  for  some  time.     In  the  fall  of  this  same 
year,  a  Sunday  school  of  much  promise,  was  es<-ablished  in 
Wilmington,  in  the  little  State   of  Delaware.     In  the  year 
1815,  and  in  the  month  of  April,  a  Sunday  school  was  com- 
menced in  the   Northern  Liberties  of  Philadelphia,   and  in  a 
very  short  time   the   different  branches  belonging  to  this 
school,  contained  something  upwards  of  five  hundred  schol- 
ars.    And  in  the  year  1816,  Sunday  schools  began  to  be  gen- 
erally introduced   in  all  parts   of  our  country.     Some  few 
years  ago,  the  efforts  of  the  difierent  denominations,  to  pro- 
mote Sabbath  schools  in  the  different  sections  of  our  coun- 


OF   PRESBYTERIANISM.  ±9 

try,  had  well  nigh  become  concentrated  in  the  American 
Sunday  School  Union;  but,  upon  their  finding  this  institution 
to  be  not  only  sectarian,  but  actually  corrupt — they  with- 
drew their  influence  from  it,  and  set  up  separate  establish- 
ments of  their  own.  The  Presbyterians  and  Congregation- 
alists  alone,  ^Y^  now,  properly  speaking,  the  friends  and  sup- 
porters of  this  institution.  The  Protestant  Episcopal,  the 
Reformed  Dutch,  the  Baptist,  and  the  Methodist  Churches, 
and  the  Friends  or  Quakers,  have  their  own  Sunday  School 
t'^/ow^,  or  societies;  and  these  Churches  have  officially,  and 
loudly,  from  time  to  time  called  upon  their  own  friends  to 
rally  around  their  oivn  unions,  and  assist  them  in  publishing 
their  own  books,  and  instructing  their  own  children  and 
youth.  The  Protestant  Episcopal  Sunday  School  Un- 
lox  has  been  in  existence  eight  years,  having  been  organized 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  in  June,  1826.  And  there  are  now 
about  40^000  children  in  the  Sunday  schools  of  the  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States.  And  by  the  by, 
I  award,  as  has  always  been  done,  to  the  Episcopalians  the 
priority  in  the  defence  of  Church,  or  denominational  reli- 
gious societies,  in  opposition  to  the  plan  of  iiatiomil veWo^xoMs 
societies.  I  am  informed,  from  a  good  source  too,  that  Bish- 
op Hobart,  of  this  Church,  was  the  first  to  make  a  stand  in 
defence  of  the  former,  and  in  opposition  to  the  latter.  As 
it  regards  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States,  the  plan  of  classing  and  instructing  children  in  this 
way,  is  by  no  means  of  recent  origin,  but  is  as  old  as  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Church  itself;  and  therefore,  we  as  Metho- 
dists, commenced  the  instruction  of  the  youth  of  this  coun- 
try, even  before  the  Episcopalians. 

The  Church  of  England,  in  this  country,  became  extinct 
in  1776,  on  the  declaration  of  American  Independence;  and 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  the  close 
of  the  year  1784,  near  five  years  before  the  organization  of 
t\\Q present  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  which  took  place 
in  1789.  So  that  when  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was 
organized,  the  Church  of  England  had  become  extinct,  and 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  had  never  existed,  that  is, 
in  its  present  forr)i.  But  to  return  from  this  digression,  it 
ever  has  been,  and  still  is,  the  special  duty  of  every  Method- 
ist circuit  preacher  to  thus  instruct  the  children  within  his 
bounds,  and  even  to  organize  Sunday  schools,  all  which  may 
be  seen  by  referring  to  our  book  of  Discipline.  But  we,  as 
a  church,  thinking  the  "movements  of  our  preachers  rather 
tardy,  and  wishing  to  facilitate  the  progress  of  Sunday  schools 


■*'- 


20  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

among  our  people,  did,  on  the  2d  of  April,  1827,  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  form  ourselves  into  a  union  separate  from  all 
others,  to  be  denominated  the  **Sunday  School  Uxion  of 
THE  Methodist  Episcopal  Church;"  and  at  our  first  An- 
nual meeting,  held  on  Wednesday  evening,  the  14th  of  May, 
1828,  there  were  in  connexion  with  our  union,  891  schools, 
embracing  45,750  scholars,  and  8,910  teachers  employed  ev- 
ery Sabbath,  besides  officers,  managers  and  visiters.  Our 
union  has  now  existed  seven  years;  and  our  success  has  been 
such  during  that  time,  that  in  point  of  usefulness  we  are  not 
excelled  by  any,  and  in  point  of  numDers,  we  are  only  excell- 
ed by  that  mammoth  institution, — the  American  Sunday 
School  Union.  Who  can  withhold  his  astonishment  in  look- 
ing at  the  rapid  multiplication  of  Sunday  schools  within  the 
last  forty  years?  In  Great  Britain,  there  are  more  than  8000 
schools,  containing  80,000  teachers,  and  about  100,000  chil- 
dren. The  whole  number  of  Sunday  school  scholars  in 
the  United  States,  is  estimated  at  considerably  upwards  of 
1,000,000.  They  have  been  established  also  in  many  por- 
tions of  the  Heathen  world,  by  the  Missionaries  of  the  Cross. 
In  the  Sandwich  Islands  alone,  it  is  said,  there  are  more  than 
10,000  Sunday  school  scholars.  And,  that  this  truly  noble 
and  benevolent  plan  may  continue  under  wise  and  judicious 
direction,  that  it  maybe  crowned  with  success  by  Him  who 
alone  has  power  so  to  crown  it, — and  that  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  may  come  through  its  instrumentality,  should  be  the 
wish  and  fervent  prayer  of  all  mankind.  The  Sunday  school 
cause  is  one  of  the  best  causes  in  the  whole  world.  All  but 
infidels  will  admit  this.  It  has  been  the  means  of  the  con- 
version of  thousands  of  immortal  souls.  The  orphan  and 
the  destitute  have  there  been  taught  the  way  to  heaven.  Had 
they  not  been  there  taught  they  would  perhaps  have  perished, 
I  have  recently  seen  an  account  of  a  meeting  held  in  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  in  which  a  highly  respectable  clergyman  remark- 
ed that,  while  in  College,  he  had  ten  pious  fellow-students. 
Now  in  the  same  College  there  were  eighty,  mostly  through 
the  influence  of  Sunday  schools.  He  had  recently  visited 
four  hundred  young  men  in  various  institutions,  who  were 
professors  of  religion,  the  greater  proportion  of  whom  were 
converted  in  Sabbath  schools.  And  I  am  authorized  to  say, 
that  two-thirds  ot  the  missionaries  who  have  gone  out  from 
Great  Britain,  and  nineteen-tvventiethsof  the  dissenting  min- 
isters in  that  nation  were  converted  in  Sabbath  schools! — 
Then  who  would  not  be  engaged  in  this  good,  this  glorious 
cause?  Brethren  in  the  ministry!  use  all  your  skill,  and  exert 


OF  PBESBYTERIAXISM.  .        21 

your  utmost  abilities  to  promote  this  cause;  for  by  so  doing, 
you  may  rest  assured,  you  promote  the  Redeemer's  cause.  Fath- 
ers in  Israel!  you,  whose  heads  have  blossomed  for  the  grave, 
whose  eyes  have  grown  dim  with  age — you,  whose  race  is 
well  nigh  ended,  say,  would  it  not  be  a  cheering,  a  blessed 
contemplation,  when  }'ou  come  to  lay  your  heads  upon  your 
dying  pillow,  to  look  abroad  into  the  wide  world,  which  you 
are  about  leaving,  and  see  that  orphan^y,  that  child  of  af- 
fliction— at  one  time  in  the  broad  rom  to  ruin,  without  a 
friend  to  point  out  to  him  the  path  of  rectitude,  exposed  to 
the  snares  of  the  infidel,  and  allurements  of  a  sinful  world — 
tosee /i^??^happyin  a  Savior's  love;  and  this,  through  your 
instrumentality?  Sabbath  school  instructions,  wherever  prop- 
erly tested,  have  been  attended  with  these  beneficial  results. 
Ey  their  influence,  hundreds  and  thousands  of  destitute  chil- 
dren have  been  reclaimed  from  the  error  of  their  ways,  from 
vice,  from  Sabbath-breaking,  with  all  its  soul-shivering  reti- 
nue of  vagrant  and  pernicious  habits,  and  brought  into  sweet 
subordination  to  the  will  of  God,  and  the  sober  decencies  of 
life.  I  scarcely  know  how  to  dismiss  this  subject.  I  would 
say  to  all  the  friends  of  Zion,  help  to  nerve  the  cause  of  Sab- 
bath schools  on  to  victorv,  and  you  will  neither  regret  it  in 
time  or  eternity.  When  j'ou  are  on  your  death-bed,  and  this 
world  is  fast  receding  from  your  sight,  and  you  are  about  des- 
cending into  the  lonely  tomb,  this  consolation  shall  smooth 
your  passage  through  the  dark  valley,  that  the  Sunday  school 


CHAPTER  11. 

ORIGIN     AND     DESIGN    OF     THE     AMERICAN    SUNDAY    SCHOOL 

UNION. 

^  In  the  year  ISl 7,  the  ^'Philadelphia  Sunday  and  Adult 
School  Union"  was  formed,  and  incorporated  in  1818,  by 
persons  belonging  to  different  denominations;  being  of  the 
same  character,  in  several  respects,  as  the  "First  Day  or  Sun- 
day School  Society,"  which  had  been  organized  some  twen- 
ty years  before  it,  and  of  which  the  venerable  Bishop  White 
was  the  first  president.  In  1824,  there  were  connected  with 
this  Society  4 G,619  scholars,  wuth  7,300  teachers;  and  the  so- 
ciety had  a  stock  on  hand,  amounting  to  §5000,  contributed 
by  different  denominations.  Sabbath  schools  had  now  be- 
come extensively  established  in  various  parts  of  the  United 


22  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

States,  and,  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  Presbyte- 
riansy  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  was  organized 
in  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1824,  and  the  auxiliary  schools  and 
societies,  with  the  stock  above  mentioned,  were  transferred 
from  the  old  to  the  new  institution  !  ! ! 

It  is  now  just  ten  years  since  the  formation  of  this  institu- 
tion. For  more  than  four  years  previous  to  the  formation  of 
this  institution,  the  Q|^anization  of  a  general  Sunday  School 
Union,  in  the  Unite^States,  had  been  an  object  every  way 
dear,  to  many  of  the  leading  ministers  of  the  Congregation- 
al and  Presbyterian  Churches.  ,The  first  public  notice  of  this 
subject  that  I  remember  to  have  seen,  is  contained  in  a  pamph- 
let written  on  the  subject  of  Sunday  schools,  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  in  May,  1S20. 

It  w^as  the  principles  and  plan  of  the  American  Bible  So- 
ciety, that  first  led  the  Presbyterians  to  desire  a  Sunday 
School  Union  of  this  kind.  A  Presbyterian  committee,  ap- 
pointed for  the  purpose  of  examining  into  and  reporting  on 
this  subject,  after  alluding  to  the  principles  and  plan  of  the 
A.  B.  S.,  express  themselves  in  the  following  manner: — 
* 'Equally  catholic  in  its  principles,  and  simple  in  its  design, 
the  Sunday  school  system  would  be  greatl}^  benefitted  by  such 
a  union."  The  well  known  axiom,  ''union  is  power," — 
seems  to  have  been  duly  considered  by  the  Presbyterians;  for 
they  apply  it  to  every  thing.  With  them  there  is  no  efficien- 
cy, physical,  intellectual,  or  moral,  but  may  be  traced  to  this 
])rinciple.  And  yet,  in  reality,  they  are  of  all  people,  the 
farthest  removed  from  the  true  principle  of  Christian  union. 

My  sentiments  respecting  the  Jlrnerican  Sunday  School 
Union,  areas  follows:  li  is  2.  sectarian  institution,  gotten 
up  by  the  Presbyterians,  for  the  express  purj)Ose  of  abetting 
the  cause  of  Freshyterianism,  in  these  United  States.  It  is 
of  dangerous  tendency.  And  whatever  may  be  said  by  its 
advocates  to  relieve  it  from  the  suspicion  of  sectarian  influ- 
ence, it  is  sectarian.  The  Presbyterians  only,  have  a  pre- 
ponderating influence  in  its  councils,  and  just  enough  from 
among  'other  denominations  are  classed  w^ith  the  dominant 
sect  to  save  appearances, — form  a  zest  for  the  song  of  u?iio?i, 
and  give  a  tone  to  the  sound  of.  Catholicism.  But  more  of 
this  in  its  proper  place.  With  what  intent  did  the  Presby- 
terians cause  this  institution  to  be  organized?  And  what 
have  the  managers  and  friends  of  the  institution  declared  they 
would  accomplish  through  it?  The  proper  answer  to  these 
anxious  interrogatories  will  at  once  disclose  the  whole  se« 
crct. 


OF  rRESBYTERlANISW.  0    23 

The  managers  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  in 
their  Report  for  1827,  say, — ^'the  experience  of  the  civilized 
world  demonstrates  that  the  character  of  the  man  is  built  on 
the  principles  instilled  into  the  mind  of  the  child.^^  In  view 
of  this  grand  axiom,  they  propose  to  spread  themselves,  to 
use  their  own  language,  ^^overthe  whole  ground  of  the  re- 
ligious education  of  youth;" — to  ^*keep  pace  with  every 
INCREASE  OF  POPULATION,"  and  Consequently,  to  assume  to 
themselves  the  exclusive  formation  offthe  character  of  the 
entire  future  population  of  our  country,  to  every  succeeding 
generation,  and  however  extended  and  multiplied !  This  is, 
indeed,  as  the  managers  themselves  term  it  "an  engine" — and 
as  they  say,  one  "which,  when  put  into  full  operation,  will 
work  with  great  and  unexampled  power."  And  I  con- 
fess it  to  be  "an  engine,"  in  my  view,  of  such  power,  that  I 
am  unwilling  to  trust  the  working  of  it,  on  the  children  of 
our  country,  to  the  hands  of  these  managers.  Again;  the 
board  of  managers  avow  themselves,  to  use  their  own  words, 
"desirous,  not  only  of  furnishing  their  own  schools  with 
suitable  books,  but  of  introducing  such  books  into  schools  of 
a  different  description,  and  of  rendering  them  so  abund- 
ant as  to  FORCE  out  of  circulation  those  which  tend  to 
mislead  the  mind,  and  to  fill  it  with  what  must  be  injurious 
to  it  in  subsequent  life. "  These  same  managers,  for  this  same 
American  Union,  further  say  of  themselves: — "In  pursuing 
this  department  of  their  labors,  they  acknowledge  that  they 
assume  an  immense  responsibility  in  becoming  dictators 
to  the  consciences  of  thousands  of  immortal  bemgs."  But 
they  declare  that  ^Hhey  have  chosen  to  do  this,^^  making  in 
any  work  which  they  publish  such  alterations  as  they  judge 
necessary.  Perhaps  all  this  is  very  good.  But  whom  shall 
the  American  people  trust  to  ^'dictate''  for  them,  what  is 
gospel  truth.-*  These  managers  avow,  as  an  apology  for  as- 
suming this  high  ground,  that  they  doit,  "rather  than  tamely 
issue  sentiments,  which  in  their  conscience,  they  believe 
to  be  false,  or  inconsistent  with  the  purity  of  divine 
truth!" 

But  can  the  Methodists,  Episcopalians,  Baptists,  Luther- 
ans, Quakers,  &c.  "tamely  submit"  to  have  their  children's 
consciences  moulded  and  formed  by  these  would-be  dicta- 
tors? Who  do  these  denominations  wish  to  dictate  to  their 
children,  what  is  ^'false,''  and  what  is  ^'divine  truth?^^  To 
dictate  it  exclusively,  universally,  and  perpetually!  and  to 
compel  all  others  to  submit  to  the  dictation,  by  '^forcing 
out  of  circulation^''^  not  only  from  their  own  schools,  but 


24  #  n^ELPS   TO   THE    STIJDT 

from  all  other  schools,  all  books  which  ihey  shall  consider  a^ 
not  teaching  ^^divine  truth/'  and  instilling  into  the  minds  of 
the  whole  of  the  youth  of  our  land,  in  order  to  form  the  char- 
acter of  the  future  men,  such  principles,  for  gospel  princi- 
ples, as  they  only,  at  their  uncontrolled  discretion,  shall  think 
proper  to  approve  and  sanction.  Heaven  knows!  this  is  as- 
suming high  ground  sure  enough.  But  are  we  prepared  for 
an  exploit  of  this  kind?  Certainly  not.  And  God  forbid,  I 
-say,  that  the  Methodist  Church  ever  should  "tamely  submit" 
to  wear  a  yoke  of  this  kind!  But  reader,  all  this  power  and 
influence,  which  is  to  be  extended  through  county,  town,  and 
city  depositories  into  every  part  of  this  nation — which  is  to 
be  extended  over  the  ^^whole ground^ ^  of  the  education  of  the 
children  of  our  land — which  is  to  keep  pace  with  the  rapid 
increase  of  population,  and  is  to  ^^force  out  of  circulation^'' 
all  books  which  these  monarchs  ^^of  all  they  survey,"  and 
lords  *^of  the  fowl  and  the  brute,"  whose  dominion  is  ^<from 
the  centre  all  round  to  the  sea," — is  in  the  hands  of  a  volun- 
tary associationoi  individuals,  the  constitution  of  which 
does  not  contain  one  single  provision  for  securing  a  restrain- 
ed exercise  o(  this  power,  by  ^^forcing"  its  members  to  elect 
its  officers  from  amongjdifferent  sects,  but  admits  by  its^ezi- 
eral  terms^  not  only  me  possibility,  but  even  the  probability, 
that  it  will,  in  process  of  time,  and  perhaps,  at  no  distant  pe- 
riod, he  engrossed  by  that  sect,  for  whose  special  benefit  it 
was  set  on  foot.  And  according  to  the  prediction  of  that  fa- 
mous religious  and  political  prognosticator,  Ezra  Styles 
Ely,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  the  period  is  now  close  at  hand 
when  they  will  have  engrossed  this  power.  This  clergyman, 
of  political  notoriety^  in  1828,  uttered  the  following  pre- 
diction: ^^About  12,00©,000  of  persons  in  our  country  will 
decease  in  the  course  of  thirty  years;  and  of  course  nearly 
4,000,000  in  ten  years.  In  the  same  ten  years  at  least  one 
third  of  all  the  legal  electors  of  the  country  will  have  be- 
come of  age  to  vote  in  elections,  and  of  these  a  large  por- 
tion will  have  experienced  all  the  moral  and  benign  effects  of 
Sabbath  schools.  Under  the  influence  of  moral  and  reli- 
gious principles  formed  in  Sabbath  schools,  they  will  regulate 
their  political  conduct."  But  our  political  parson  contin- 
ues, "It  is  highly  probable,  therefore,  that  in  ten  years  the 
blessed  result  of  our  Sabbath  schools  will  be,  to  exclude,  law- 
fully, all  wicked  men  from  offices,  by  the  refusal  on  the  part 
of  the  people  to  elect  them.  This  is  a  consummation  most  de- 
voutly to  be  wished  by  all.  The  okthodox  are  endeavoring 
,to  get  the  government  of  the  nation  into  their  hands,  it  is 


OF  PRESBXTERIANISM^ 


Hh 


trae,  by  endeavoring  through  the  power  of  the  truth  to 
make  all  their  fellow-citizens  men  of  moral  and  religious 
character." 

I  now  have  before  me  a  sermon,  preached  in  Philadelphia,  at 
the  request  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  May  23, 
1531,  by  Rev.  Heman  Humphrey,  D.  D.  President  of  Am- 
herst College,  Mass.  from  which  I  propose  to  give  some  ex- 
tracts. Thousands  of  copies  were  printed  by  the  Union, 
and  triumphantly  circulated  by  its  agents  and  friends.  After 
speaking  of  our  improvements  in  mechanics,  in  the  arts,  and 
in  the  use  of  natural  agents,  our  parson  comes  to  the  science 
of  education^  and  says,  ^'hardly  a  month  passes  without  some 
new  invention,  or  discovery,  by  which  ^ower  is  gained,  or 
dispensed  with;''  and  on  the  same  page  he  enquires,  <'And  who 
can  look  at  these  great  benevolent  institutions,  which  are  the 
glory  of  the  present  age,  without  being  struck  with  the  simpli- 
city of  their  principles;  with  the  unparalleled  extent  and  ef- 
ficiency of  their  operations?"  And  again ;  <*And  this  great  and 
prosperous  Union,  what  is  it  doing,  what  can  it  ever  do  more 
than  is  implied  in  these  few  monosyllables,  train  iipachildin 
the  way  he  should  go?  As  there  never  was  a  more  simple  plan, 
thought  of  for  renovating  the  world,  so  none  could  be  more 
comprehensive  oreffectual.  Let  itonce  be  thoroughey  triei^ 
in  any  state  or  nation,  with  humble  reliance  on  the  grace  of 
God;  that  is,  let  every  child  be  trained  up  from  infancy  in  the 
right  way,  and  hov/  wonderful  would  be  the  moral  trans- 
formation in  the  space  of  lorty  years!"  But  the  following 
'political  sentence  is  still  stronger: — ^-What  an  awful  dearth 
of  piety  is  there,  at  the  head  ^f  more  than  a  million  and  a 
half  of  American  families!  From  this  quarter  then,  a  reli- 
gious influence  upon  all  who  are  now    coming  into  life,  with 

the  DESTINIES  OF  THE  NATION  IN  THEIR  HANDS,  is  hopcleSS !" 

In  speaking  oi  the  designs  of  the  Union,  the  preacher  say,?, 
**The  obvious  design  of  the  system  is,  to  tre-occupy  thi: 
INFANT  MIND,  throughout  this  great  republic,  with  the  prin- 
ciples of  virtue'and  piety — to  sow  the  good  seedj  and  keep 
out  the  TARES— to  teach  all  the  rising  millions  of  a  mighty 
empire,  as  they  come  up  successively  into  life,  their  relations 
to  God,  and  their  high  duties;"  and  in  closing  this  part  of  hit- 
sermon,  he  says,  ^*such  is  the  undisguised,  the  godlike  de- 
sign of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union.''  Godlike  in- 
deed! I  presume  the  reader  is  now  prepared  to  decide,  wheth- 
er this  institution,  after  having  so  openly  avowed  its  inten- 
tion to  control  the  education  of  the  children  of  our  common 
country,  or  to  <^pre*  occupy  the  infant  mind,  throughout  thi? 
c 


26  HELPS  TO  THE   STUDY 

great  republic,"  until  the  political  power  shall  be  on  their 
side;  and  so  manifestly  tending  to  come  under  the  control  of 
2.  single  deno7)iinati07i,\vi\\,  or  will  not,  eventually  become, 
as  a  RELIGIOUS  ESTABLISHMENT,  dangcrous  to  the  liberties  of 
our  country — our  dear  country.  But  should  this  institution 
be,  at  length  managed,  as  recent  examples  in  the  history  of 
Presbyterian  Colleges  in  New-England  prove  to  be  possible, 
by  irreligious  hands — to  whom  from  the  testimony  of  its 
own  managers  it  is  accessible — I  ask,  may  it  not  be  used  even 
to  the  overthrow  of  Christianity  itself? 

From  this,  and  many  other  weighty  considerations,  tlic 
Legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1828,  refused  by  acclamation, 
as  I  will  show  in  this  work,  to  incorporate  the  American  Sun- 
day School  Union.  Why  did  the  Legislature  of  this  State, 
act  thus,  if  there  were  no  apprehensions  of  the  Union  as  a 
religious  establishment?  Was  it  because  the  members  of 
that  Legislature  were  all  infidels,  or  enemies  to  God?  No, 
verily,  those  who  opposed  the  measure  most  warmly,  were 
both  christians  and  patriots.  And  because  of  these  things, 
Stephen  Girard  of  Philadelphia,  did,  in  his  wall,  so  cautious- 
ly guard  the  religious  instruction  in  the  College,  he  ordered 
to  be  erected  in  that  city.  Jiut  forsooth!  the  friends  of  this 
Union  have  already  avowed  their  entire  competency  to  take 
charge  of  the  religious  department  of  instruction  in  the  Gi- 
rard College,  under  the  provisions  of  Girard's  will;  and  I 
fully  expect  they  will  do  so. 

Fellow-citizens,  our  craft  is  in  danger  of  being  set  at 
nought,  and  we  ourselves,  of  being  called  upon  to  cry  out 
with  one  accord,  saying,  great  is  this  Diana  of  the  Ephe- 
sians!  Awake  and  come  forth!  Action, — action, — action 
must  now  be  our  watch-word ! 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE     COPY-RIGHT    QUESTION   AND    THE     AMERICAN   SUNDAY 

SCHOOL    UNION DIFFERENCE  IN    THE  SALES  OF  ITS  BOOKS 

TO   DIFFERENT    UNIONS    OR  SCHOOLS DIFFERENT   DENOM- 
INATIONS REPRESENTED  IN   THE    UNION THE  CALVINISTS 

HAVE  A  PREPONDERATING  INFLUENCE,  &C. 

Those  of  my  readers,  who  have  been  accustomed  to  no- 
tice the  public  prints,  with  any  degree  of  attention,  for  the 
last  two  or  three  years,  doubtless  recollect  that  great  excite- 


or  PRESBYTERIANISM.  27 

mcnt  prevailed  throughout  our  country,  occasioned  by  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union,  having  restrained  the  circu- 
lation of  many  valuable  Sunday  school  books,  by  taking  out  a 
copy-right  for  them.  Accordingly,  in  October,  1832,  there 
was  a  Sunday  school  convention  held  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  composed  of  Delegates  from  the  different  Sunday 
School  Unions;  at  which  the  Editors  of  the  Sunday  School 
books,  for  the  Sunday  School  Union  of  the  Methodist  Espis- 
copal  Church,  proposed  to  the  convention,  that  all  Sunday 
school  societies  should  cease  to  restrain  the  circulation  of  Sun- 
day school  books,  by  taking  out  a  copy-right,  &c.  The  Rev. 
iNIessrs.  Durbin  and  Bangs,  are  the  Methodist  Editors  to 
whom  I  alhide,  and  the  individuals  who  moved  for  a  commit- 
tee to  examine  the  question:  by  this  means  the  copy-right 
question  came  before  the  public.  The  resolution  ofiered  b}- 
these  gentlemen,  was  the  following:  '^Resolved,  that  a  com- 
mittee be  appointed  to  take  into"  consideration  the  following 
proposition,  viz: — Whether  it  he  expedient,  or,  consistent 
witJithe  spirit  of  the  great  benevolent  enterprize  of  tht 
day,  for  Sunday  School  Societies  or  associations  to  re- 
strain tlie  circulation  of  Sunday  School  books  jjroper,  by 
taking  out  a  copy -right  Jor  the  same. 

This  resolution  was  not  offered,  nor  was  it  understood  to 
be  made,  in  reference  to  the  Sunday  School  Union  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  only,  but  in  reference  to  all 
Sunday  School  associations,  which  may  choose  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  advantages  growing  out  of  the  suppression  of 
copy-rights.  This  proposition  was  made,  because  it  was  be- 
lieved it  would  be  acceptable  to  all  Sunday  School  associa- 
tions, and  the  benefits  would  be  mutual  to  all.  It  was  made, 
because  it  was  thought  it  would  strengthen  the  Sunday  School 
interest  generally,  and  promote  the  cause  of  general  benev- 
olence. And  it  was  made,  last  of  all,  because  it  was  believed 
that  no  Sunday  School  association,  or  any  other  benevolent 
association,  in  the  world,  that  asks  the  public  for  money  to 
aid  tfiem  in  purchasing  books  ^\\on\^  restrain  their  /ree  cir- 
culation by  securing  the  copy-right.  But  it  seems  that  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union,  which  was  commenced,  and 
has  been  carried  on  and  sustained  solely  by  the  voluntary 
contributions  oi  the  public,  is  alone  guilty  of  this  practice; 
and  hence  it  was,  that  when  Messrs.  Durbin  and  Bangs  made 
this  proposition,  a  distinguished  individual  belonging  to  the 
American  Union  moved,  ''That  the  proposition  be  indefin- 
itely postponed,  and  that  the  question  be  taken  loithout  de- 
hate!  IT''     How  true  is  that  sentiment  that  those  whose 


58  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

deeds  are  evil,  prefer  darkness  to  light  t  Upon  an  appeal  hy 
the  Chairman,  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  an  honorable  United 
States  Senator  from  New  Jersey,  and  an  officer  of  the  Amer- 
ican Sunday  School  Union,  it  was  decided  that  such  a  motion 
was  in  order !  !  An  appeal  was  taken  from  the  Chair  and 
the  Convention  sustained  the  Chair  1  If  the  darts  of  death 
had  flown  as  thick  through  the  house  as  they  did  in  the  Tro- 
jan War,  the  7iaHonal  party  could  not  have  heen  more  agi- 
tated, than  they  were  by  the  introduction  of  this  resolution. 
During  the  agitation  which  this  very  singular  motion  produc- 
ed, several  other  motions  were  attempted  by  the  7iationals^ 
such  for  instance  as  to  "dismiss,'' — to  "Squash''  the  proposi- 
tion, &c.  The  movers  of  this  generous  and  benevolent  propo- 
sition, finding  it  was  to  be  turned  out  of  the  Convention  with- 
out a  hearing,  rose  to  offer  an  amendment:  the  Chair  decid- 
ed it  must  be  taken  ivithoiit  debate! — The  movers  submit- 
ted of  course;  and  moved  to  amend  the  motion  of  indefinite 
postponement  without  debate,  by  requesting  an  opportunity 
of  stating  their  reasons  for  submitting  the  copy-right 
question,  or  proposition.  The  amendment  was  also  lost! — 
The  question  then  recurred  upon  a  postponement  without 
debate,  and  was  carried  51  to  24  \ ! !  With  regard  to  the 
state  of  feeling  on  this  occasion,  Mr.  Durbin  in  the  Advocate 
and  Journal  remarks: — "It  is  impossible  for  those  who  were 
not  present,  to  conceive  the  state  of  feeling  which  followed: 
the  members,  and  the  audience  all  partook  of  it.  Several 
of  the  warm  friends  of  the  proposition  retired  to  the  doors!'' 
1  have  not  heard  of  such  concentrated  villainy,  since  the 
Burr  conspiracy. 

The  movers  of  this  proposition  then  commenced  an  expo- 
sition of  this  question  at  large,  and  a  defence  of  their  resolu- 
tion through  the  columns  of  the  Advocate;  when  the  man- 
agers of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  becoming  alarm- 
ed, proposed,  tlirough  the  columns  of  the  "American  Sun- 
day School  Journal,"  that  '^some private  ejforts^^  be  made 
to  settle  the  dispute,  saying,  ^^TVoiddit  not  be  viost  advisa-. 
ble,  in  view  of  the  common  danger  to  religion  and  the  Sun- 
day School  department  ? '' 

The  Editors  of  the  Advocate,  Messrs.  Durbin  and  Merritt,, 
understanding  this  language  to  be  a  request^  on  the  part  of 
the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  to  open  a  negotiation  for 
the  adjustment  of  the  question  to  the  mutual  advantage  of  all 
concerned,  readily  complied  with  it;  and  accordingly  ad- 
dressed  them  a  private  letter,  in  which,  they  assigned  various 
reasons  why  the  puhli,CAtion  of  Sunday  S,c|i,o,o.l  hooks  slxould 


not  be  restrained,  and  made  liberal  offers,  proposing  to  pub- 
lish others  books  for  the  general  good.  But  the  managers 
replied  at  length,  saymg  they  were  willing  to  publish  such 
books  belonging  to  other  Sunday  School  associations,  as  were 
not  sectarian;  but  urged  various  reasons  why  they  could  not 
<!onsent  to  let  their  books  be  published  by  their  neighbors, 
&:c.  The  principle  reason  assigned  by  the  Board  for  not  con- 
senting to  have  their  books  published  by  other  Sunday  School 
associations,  is,  there  could  be  no  interchange  of  advant- 
AG-E  accruing  to  this  society/'  Now,  the  "advantage"' 
intended  in  this  remark  is  pecuniary.  It  is  certainly  a 
moral  advantage  to  circulate  a  good  book  published  by 
any  association,  though  that  association  may  not  get  a 
good  book  that  they  may  circulate  in  turn.  1  should  have 
supposed,  that  the  great  moral  advantage  is  the  first  object 
with  every  public  benevolent  society.  At  least,  they  all 
make  this  profession,  when  they  are  soliciting  the  charities  of 
llie  public.  This  paragraph,  as  well  as  many  others  in  this 
same  reply,  intimates  too  strongly  a  sectional  instead  of  a 
/?.«if/o^^«/ character  for  the  American  Sunday  School  Union.. 
The  American  Union  has  done  some  good,  and  might  be  the 
instrument  of  doing  much  more,  in  my  humble  opinion,  if  its 
policy  were  a  liberal  policy,  and  of  a  more  benevolent  x^Xkv^x 
tJian  business  character.  The  idea  that  the  Methodist  Church 
is  opposed  to  the  American  Union,  or  any  other  American 
Society,  while  doing  good ,  is  unfounded,  and  has  grown  out 
of  two  facts; — her  resistance  to  the  principle  of  imposing  a 
/2a^i07i«/ character  upon  public  benevolent  societies,  so  as  to 
merge  all  distinction  of  sects  in  their  operation,  which  course 
she  has  ever  thought,  and  still  thinks  unsafe  and  unwise. — 
And  her  resistance  to  the  strenuous  efforts,  and  misrepresenta- 
tions of  most  of  their  agents  to  induce  the  public,  and  espe- 
cially her  people  to  believe,  that  she  is  among  their  patrons. 
We  are  very  gravely  told  by  a  correspondent  in  the  Sun- 
day School  Journal,  and  also  by  their  Board  and  numerous 
agents,  that,  if  we  (the  Methodists)  want  their  books  we  ^'ean 
buy  them  ready  made.  '^  But  they  know  that  we  can  never 
become  regular  customers  to  that  Union,  because  we  should 
have  to  pay  higher  for  the  same  books  than  some  other 
schools  and  persons.  In  the  twelfth  edition,  1832,  of  the 
catalogue  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  books,  we 
find,  ^'all  other  societies,  schools,  or  individuals,  will  be 
charged  one-fourth  advance  !''  The  reason  why  the 
higher  price  to  non-auxiliaries  is  now  put  on  in  *  ^advance" 
instead  of  the  old  plan  of  discount  to  auxiliaries,  no  doubt 
c2. 


30  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

exists  some  where;  and  if  it  were  my  province  to  account  for 
it,  I  should  say,  the  change  has  been  made  with  a  view  to  buy 
up  schools.  And  in  this  respect,  I  most  sincerely  believe, 
that  all  certain  politicians  have  said  of  the  United  States 
Bank,  will  apply  with  y^rce  to  this  institution — particularly 
of  late.  But  I  am  very  certain,  that  if  their  terms  were  noiCr 
and  had  been  from  the ^r*/,  equally  liberal  to  all  Sunday 
School  societies,  this  copy-right  question  mi^ht  never  have 
been  raised.  It  is,  however,  an  important  fact  in  this  inves- 
tigation, that  any  Sunday  School,  not  auxiliary  to  them,  must 
^^y  twenty-Jive  per  ce7it,  more  for  their  books.  And  now, 
admitting  their  books  to  be  cheap,  this  would  make  them 
come  at  a  high  price  to  others,  and  it  is  therefore,  the  interest 
of  others  to  publish  books,  if  they  want  them,  rather  than 
purchase  of  them  under  such  circumstances.  But  it  has 
been  said,  that  it  comes  with  an  ill  grace  from  Methodists  to 
expect  any  advantages  from  the  American  Union,  since  they 
have  not  aided  it  by  contributions.  I  reply — it  would  be 
found  upon  examination,  that  the  members  and  congregations 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  have  contributed  more 
money  to  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  than  would 
replace  every  dollar  they  have  paid  out  for  copy-rights,  vvith 
compound  interest.  Why  then  may  we  notcl&im  some  ^'ad- 
vantage," if  we  choose  to  use  it,  from  the  effects  of  the  ma- 
ny thousand  dollars  given  by  all  denominations  for  the  com- 
mon good  ?  There  are  no  other  benevolent  societies  in  Amer- 
ica, found  protecting  their  issues  hy  copy-right,  but  this  biis-i- 
i^ie.95  institution  at  Philadelphia.  And  wherefore?  Because^ 
no  other  benevolent  society  wishes  to  '^force  out  of  circular 
tion^^  the  books  printed  by  those  who  are  not  of  its  fold. 

Again: — The  time  has  been,  when  the  Methodists,  Epis- 
copalians, Baptists,  &c.  contributed  largely  to  the  support  of 
the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  alt  lough  they  were  not 
connected  with  it;  but  this  is  no  longer  the  case,  since  these 
denominations  have  organized  Sunday  School  societies  of 
their  own.  And  though  individual  memhers  of  these  church- 
es still  belong  to  the  American  Union,  those  denominations 
as  such,  are  not  now,  nor  never  were  attached  to  that  Union, 
the  repeated  assertions  of  its  numerous  agents  to  the  contra- 
ry notwithstanding. 

The  Methodists  and  Episcopalians,  have  avowed  their  de- 
termination never  to  become  auxiliary  to  the  American  Un- 
ion— for  reasons  too,  which  must  be  obvious  to  every  re* 
fleeting  mind.  It  will  not  be  denied  by  the  Board  them- 
selves, but  what  the  Calvinistic  Churches,  and  the  Calvini«tic 


OF  PRESBYTBRIANISM.  ^1 

sections  of  the  general  Church,  give  their-  entire  patronage 
to  all  the  national  societies;  and  hence  of  necessity  have  a 
preponderating  influence  in  all  their  councils,  and  interest  in 
them. 

The  Arrainian  Churches,  and  Arminian  sections  of  the 
Church  saw  clearly  that  their  influence  would  be  neutralized, 
and  made  to  subserve  the  general  cause  of  Calvinism,  by  join- 
ing in  with  the  national  societies.  xVnd  if  the  national  soci- 
eties did  not  intend  or  wish  to  produce  this  result,  such  a  re- 
sult is  nevertheless  inevitable,  from  the  very  nature  and  rela- 
tive influence  of  the  various  Churches.  Hence  the  Armini- 
an Churches  have  declined,  and  refused  to  be  subscribers,  for 
which  they  have  been  treated  very  uncourteously  by  thena- 
tionah. 

Now  I  ask  an  impartial  public  if  those  Churches  can  be 
blamed  for  declining?  And  I  enquire'  again,  as  the  Ameri- 
ran  Union  asks  no  money  for  schools  in  order  ta  become  aux- 
iliary, would-  it  not  be  the  same  to  them  to  sell  to  all  schools 
at  the  same  priced  If  the  friends  of  the  Union  say  it 
would  not,  I  ask  the  special  favor  of  some  one  of  them,  \j^ 
explain  to  me  why  it  would  not.  The  Union  does  not  pro- 
pose to  gain  any  pecuniary  advantige  by  this  arrangement^ 
but  to  confer  an  advantage  of  twenty -Jive  per  cent,  on  such 
schools  as  will  become  auxiliary  to  them.  Now  as  it  gains 
nothing  pecuniary  by  a  school's  becoming  auxiliary,  why 
charge  such  school  <'one-fourth  advance,"  if  it  cannot  con- 
scientiously become  auxiliary?  This  is  the  case  with  the 
schools  under  the  care  of  both  the  Methodist  and  Episcopali- 
an Churches.  And  yet,  the  schools  of  these  Churches  art? 
said  to  be  sectarian;  and  those  under  the  American  Union 
are  represented  as  liberal  beyond  description  ! 

And  the  caicse  why  the  American  Union  ofiers  an  induce- 
ment of  25  per  cent,  for  schools  to  become  auxiliary  to  them, 
is  another  reason  why  the  Methodist  Church,  and  why  large 
sections  of  almost  every  Church  in  the  country,  have  declin- 
ed. And  the  reason  why  and  wherefore^  the  American  Un- 
ion acts  thus,  would  at  once  discover  the  true  cause  of  all  this 
controversy.  But  to  return:  Art.  4th  of  the  constitution  of 
the  American  Union  says,  <<The  officers  and  managers  shall 
be  laymen^  and  shall  be  elected  by  ballot/'  Art.  9th  of 
the  by-laws  says,  "The  committee  of  publication  shall  con- 
sist of  eight  members  from  at  least  ybwr  different  denomiTh^ 
ations  of  Christians,  and  not  more  than  two  members  front 
any  one  denomination."  Eigth  annual  report,  pp.  31,  32; — 
**Wedo  not  pretend  that  denominations,  as  such,  arerepre- 


32  HELPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

??ented  (technically  speaking)  in  our  board. — We  only  claim 
the  confidence  and  support  of  all  denominations,  on  the 
sjround  that  their  members  share  in  the  management  and  con- 
trol of  all  our  business,  and  that  the  rights  and  views  of  each 
are  consulted  and  respected,  as  far  as  they  possibly  can  be 
under  any  circumstances,  provided  equal  deference  is  paid  to 
tiie  rights  and  views  of  all. "  These  are  the  passages  usually 
read  by  agents  in  the  west.  And  to  all  this  liberality  in  let- 
ters I  have  no  objections:  and  I  am  willing  to  admit,  for  the 
sake  of  argument,  that  the  American  Union  intended  to  do 
all  it  promises.  But  I  have  shown  above  that  it  is  impossible  in 
the  very  nature  of  things  to  comply  with  these  promises.  It 
is  impossible  not  to  see  that  the  Calvinistic  interest,  take  the 
Union  throughout,  will  predominate.  We  have  sufficient 
proof  of  this  in  the  report  for  1832.  Take  the  following 
sentence: — "The  whole  number  of  officers  and  managers  of 
the  board  is  seventy-six,  of  these  there  are  Presbyterians, 
twenty-six;  Episcopalians,  fourteen;  Baptists,  ten ;  Metho- 
dists, ten;  Congregationalists,  eight;  Reformed  Dutch,  four; 
Moravians,  one;  Friends,  one;  denominations  unknown. 
two — seventy-six/'  Now  the  question  is,  hoiv  tnany  of 
these  seventy-six  managers  are  Arininians7  If  we  count 
the  two  unknown — Friends  one — Moravians  one — Metho- 
dists ten,  we  have  the  appalling  number  of  fourteen  «>lr- 
9ninians,  and  sixty-two  Calvinists! ! 

It  may  be  said,  and  doubtless  will  be,  that  some  of  the  in- 
dividuals here  reckoned  Calvinists  are  not  so,  and  some  reck- 
oned Arminians  may  not  be  so :  I  have  reckoned  them  accord- 
ing to  the  doctrines  of  those  churches  and  sections  of  church- 
es to  which  they  belong.  It  is  well  known  that  it  is  the  Cal- 
vinistic section  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  which 
favors  the  Union,  and  not  the  ^rminian  section  of  said 
church.  Next,  look  at  the  list  of  '^ministers  members  for 
life,^^  in  the  eighth  report,  and  the  result  will  be  astonishing! 
There  are  well  on  iofive  hundred,  only  one  of  which  is  a 
Methodist  preacher,  and  he  was  made  a  member  by  a  Pres- 
byterian congregation ! 

Now  agreeably  to  the  above  state  of  things,  what  security 
have  we  for  the  character  of  the  publications  to  be  issued 
from  that  establishment  ?  The  committee  of  publication  con- 
sists of  eight  members,  representing  four  different  denomin- 
ations. They  must  be  all  laymen,  nominated  annually  by 
two  members,  appointed  by  the  board,  who  with  the  presi- 
dent, or  acting  vice-president,  constitute  a  committee  of  nom- 
iaation.     From  this  most  important  committee,  all  minisier^ 


or  PRESBTTEEIANISM.  33 

of  the  gospel,  are  excluded  by  the  constitution.  That  none 
out  laymen  are  capable  and  worthy  of  so  ^reat  a  trust,  or  that 
they  are  exempt  from  sectarian  bias,  and  beyond  the  reach 
of  sectarian  influence,  will  hardly  be  argued  by  any  one. 
Yet  it  is  a  singular  anomaly,  that  under  the  same  constitu- 
tion, ministers  are  employed  as  missionaries,  to  instil  '^gos- 
])el  truth"  alias,  Calvinism  into  theear^  of  children,  and  of 
Sabbath  school  teachers,  and  it  is  intended  to  continue  to  em- 
ploy them  f^to  the  utmost  possible  extent T^  There  is  no 
security  that  a  single  member  of  the  publishing  committee 
will  at  any  time  be  a  Methodist.  Or  if  one,  or  more,  be  this 
year,  there  is  no  security  that  any  will  be  next  year,  or  the 
year  following.  It  may  be  composed  of  ^'four  different  de- 
nominations;" of  which  a  majority  may  govern;  or  all  of 
them  may  be  Presbyterians,  Dutch  Reformed,  and  Baptists; 
or  Protestant  Episcopalians  of  the  Calvinistic  school.  And 
this  I  say  without  anj^  sort  of  disrespect  to  those  denomina- 
tions. But  if  a  Methodist  be  on  that  committee,  we  have  no 
security  for  his  competency  to  its  great  duties,  nor  for  his 
leisure  and  strength,  to  attend  to  them.  Besides  this,  there 
are  now,  not  more  than  ten  Methodists  in  our  whole  coun- 
try, actively  engaged  in  connection  with  the  American  Un- 
ion. And  if  there  were  even  hundreds,  the  mere  name  of  a 
Methodist  on  the  committee,  is  a  very  small  matter;  and  es- 
pecially of  one  in  whose  selection  the  Church  has  had  no 
voice;  over  whom  she  has  no  control;  and  who,  for  the  per- 
formance of  his  duty,  is  in  no  way  responsible  to  her.  She 
does  not  trust  her  own  publications,  among  her  own  minis- 
ters, in  so  loose  a  way.  Even  those  ministers  selected  by  her 
General  Conference,  for  the  publication  of  her  own  books, 
are  not  allowed  to  issue  any  original  work,  without  the  pre-, 
vious  sanction  of  an  experienced  standing  Book  Committee, 
or  the  recommendation  of  an  Annual  Conference. 

But  that  feature  in  the  organization  of  the  board  of  man- 
agers of  the  American  Sunday  School,  at  which  I  have  glanc- 
ed in  the  above  paragraph,  has  had  much  influence  in  induc- 
ing the  Methodists  and  Episcopalians,  to  have  no  connexion 
with  it.  I  mean  the  ^'Comm,itte  of  missions,  within  their 
body!"  The  report  of  May,  XS26,  now  lying  before  me, 
states  that,  "Under  their  diiection.,  thirty-one  missionaries. 
had  been  employed."  And  it  was  then  resblved  by  the  so- 
ciety, * 'that  it  be  recommended  to  the  managers  to  prosecute 
this  department  of  their  labors  to  the  utmost  possible  ex-^ 
TENT  ! ! !  These  missionaries  are  expected  not  only  to  apply 
their  attention  to  the  business  of  forming  Sunday  Schools^ 


Si,  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

but  also  to  preach  to  adults.  And  in  this  way  it  is  calculated 
that  employment  and  support  may  be  afforded  to  many  young 
Presbyterian  ministers  who  may  be  sent  out  from  the  Theo- 
logical Seminaries,  as  well  as  to  some  older  ones,  who  per- 
haps have  no  otlier  special  CALL,  at  least  till  they  can  be  en- 
abled to  collect,  or  rather  find  congregations  in  which  they 
may  become  settled.  For  all  this  there  must  be  funds. 
Hence  the  board  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  say, 
they  ''have  resolved  that  the  sums  paid  by  societies,  when 
becoming  auxiliary  shall  be  appropriated  to  the  missionary 
FUND.''  Besides  this,  a  Primer,  with  the  stereotype  plates 
from  which  it  is  printed,  has  also  been  presented  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board,  "on  condition  that  25  cents  on  every  hun- 
dred copies  sold,  be  appropriated  to  the  missionary  fund.^' 
And  there  is  not  di particle  of  security,  to  prevent  a  similar 
revenue  being  hereafter  set  apart  for  the  benefit  of  the  same 
fund,  from  the  extensive  sales  of  other  publications  of  the 
Union;  and  I  will  venture  to  predict,  that  such  will  be  the 
case  in  a  few  years.  For  Ihey  have  become  somewhat  inde- 
pendent, by  having  recently  raised  thirty-two  thousand  dol- 
lars, for  the  buildings,  ^c.  of  the  establishment  in  Philadel- 
phia. Now  all  this  property,  together  with  the  books,  stere- 
otype plates,  money,  ^c,  of  this  institution,  are  wholly  at 
the  will  and  pleasure,  at  the  annual  option,  not  to  say  the  ca- 
price, of  its  ballotting  members! 

Li  concluding  this  chapter,  allow  me  to  say,  that  if  this 
institution  will  so  amend  its  constitution,  ^sio  secure  din  equal 
number  of  representatives,  from  the  different  denominations, 
in  its  board  of  managers,  its  standing  committees,  and  among 
its  officers,  agents,  and  hired  missionaries,  it  will  then  give 
full  proof  of  its  catholic  intentions,  and  remove  many  of  the 
prejudices  which  exist  against  it — strong  and  well  grounded 
prejudices. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE    BOOKS  OF   THE    AMERICAN  SUNDAY   SCHOOL   UNION,    SEC- 
TARIAN. 

Many  of  the  books  issued  from  the  Depository  of  this 
institution,  are  of  a  light  and  fictitious  character;  and  this 
circumstance  of  itself,  affords  a  solid  objection  to  the  Insti- 
tution.    Now,  I  am  sufficiently  conversant  with  most  of  the 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  35 

publications  of  the  Union  to  judge  correctly  on  this  subject; 
and  I  do  know,  that  I  am  not  mistaken  on  this  pomt.     Too 
many  fictitious  stories,  and  some  of  them  containing   few 
lessons  of  moral  or  religious  instruction,  have  been  put  into 
circulation  by  the  Union.     The  tendency  of  this  is  to  vitiate 
the   taste  of  the  rising  generation,  so  that  while  they  are 
o-reedy  after  fiction,  they  will  have  no  appetite  for  solid,  in- 
structive reading.     In  a  word,  all  light  and  fictitious  ^yrl- 
tino-s,  have  in  the  main,  a  bad  tendency,  and  are  incompatible 
witli  the  simplicity  and  sincerity  of  the  christian  rehgion. 
But  I  confess,  that  to  my  mind,  there  is  a  more  weighty  ob- 
jection to  the  books  of  the  Union,  than  even  the  above.     It 
'is  this.     Many  of  them  abound  with  the  peculiaiities  of  Cal- 
vinism; and  the  reading  of  them,  together  with  the  lectures 
and  explanations  of  Calvinistic  teachers,  must  not  only  prove 
dangerous  to    children,   but  absolutely  ruinous.     True,   a 
Sunday  School  teacher  who  seeks  wisdom  from  on  high,  and 
draws  his  instructions  from  this  pure  fountain,  will  not  be 
likely  to  be  misled,  or  to  mislead  others,  in  any  matter  of  mi- 
portance;  but  who  will  avow,  that  the  thousands  of  Calyin- 
Fstic  teachers  in  connexion  with  the  Union,  draw  their  rations 
from  above?     Therefore,  it  behooves  all  ^rmiiiian  preach- 
ers, to  see  to  it,  that  nothing  is  inculcated  on  the  youth  under 
their  charge,  whicli  is  inconsistent  with  that  form  of  doctrine 
which  they  themselves  esteem  and  teach  to  be  truth. 

The  Presbyterian,  for  January,  1832,  then  edited  by  Dr. 
Ely,  and  the  official  organ  of  the  Church  whose  name  it 
bears,  after  expressing  its  partialities  and  hearty  wishes  for 
the  prosperity  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  thus 
announces  its  views  in  respect  to  the  principle  of  general 
amalgamation,  so  as  to  destroy  all  sectarian  and  denomination- 
al distinctions:— <*But  we  do  not  rank  ourselves  among  those 
indiscriminating  enthusiasts  who  would  have  all  our  mstitu- 
tions  of  a  religious  nature,  to  be  national  and  American,  and 
^Vho  therefore  pass  a  sentence  of  condemnation  to  incurable 
narrow-mindedness  and  bigotry,  upon  all  who  approve  ot  the 
establishment  of  Sunday  School  Unions  of  a  restricted  char- 
acter.    Nay,  we  commend  the  good  sense  and  sound  policy 
of  the  Episcopalians,  Methodists,  and  Baptists,  for  having 
their  own  respective  Sunday  School  Unions,  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  which  they  can  furnish  books  for  the  in- 
struction of  their  children  in  those  peculiarities  which 
however  disapproved  of  by  us,  ^vq precious  to  them.     And 
we  frankly  own  our  surprise  at  the  conduct  of  Presbyten- 
ans,  who,  haying  equal  liberty  with  their  brethren  of 


06  a,Bt:es  to  the  study  0:1? 

other  denominations,  unwisely,  we  think,  neglect  to  employ 
it  to  their  own  advantage." 

Again:  A  writer  in  the  Presbyterian,  for  1829,  which  pa- 
per I  now  have  before  me,  after  frankly  acknowledging,  that 
the  Presbyterians  as  a  body,  * 'belong  to  the  grand  Union,'* 
adds: — < 'The  Episcopalians  have  theirs;  the  Baptists  theirs; 
the  Methodists  theirs;  and  the  Catholics  theirs;  and  these 
respective  denominations  are  thus  engaged  to  make  known 
and  propagate  their  peculiarities.^^ 

Now,  if  the  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  Methodists,  Catholics 
and  others,  have  established  separate  SuViday  School  iTnions, 
(and  I  admit  the  truth  of  it)  «'for  the  purpose"  of  propagat- 
ing ^'their  peculiarities,"  I  ask,  who  are  the  proper  oiuners 
of  the  ^'grand  union"  if  the  Presbyterians  are  not? 

In  addition  to  this,  the  Minutes  of  the  Presbyterian  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  for  1832,  which  document  is  also  before  me, 
in  speaking  of  the  prosperity  of  the  national  societies,  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union  among  the  rest,  says  »''ouk 
benevolent  societies  ! ! "  Lastly :  It  is  a  well  known  fact  that 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  as  well 
as  its  Synods,  Presbyteries,  &c.  have  voted  again  and  again  to 
patronize  the  American  Sunday  School  Union;  and  by  this 
act,  as  well  also  as  their  language  on  those  occasions,  they 
have  recognized  it  as  their  Union.  So  have  various  congre- 
gational ecclesiastical  bodies,  as  well  as  other  Calvinistic 
churches.  But  alas !  no  Arminian  church  has  ever  done  this. 
Is  there  nothing  in  all  this?  The  true  question  then  is, 
whether  the  Calvinistic  interest  does  not  predominate  in  the 
Union;  and  whether  many  of  its  books  are  not  strictly  Cal- 
vinistic? Indeed  many  of  its  books  have  been  furnished  by 
Presbyterian  clergymen;  others  as  above  stated,  are  light  and 
fictitious;  while  I  scruple  not  to  say,  that  others  are  rare  and 
choice  little  volumes. 

In  an  advertisement  recently  published  by  the  Union, 
and  which  is  circulating  throughout  the  United  States,  and 
perhaps  farther  still,  it  is  said,  * 'that  all  the  books  published 
by  the  Union,  have  been  examined  and  approved  by  the 
committee  of  publication,  composed  of  an  equal  number  of 
Baptist,  Presbyterian,  Methodist,  and  Episcopal  churches," 
The  impression  given  by  this  paragraph  is,  that  the  Sabbath 
School  books  published  by  the  Union  are  sanctioned  by  all 
the  denominations  named  above.  But  this  impression  is 
basely  false:  they  are  not  sanctioned  by  these  denominations 
— and  the  most  that  can  be  contended  for  is,  that  they  are 
sanctioned  by  tivo  irresponsible  individuals  belonging  to 


OF  PBESBITERIANISM.  37 

those  churches.     The  imp^-ession  given  to  the  public  has 
been  from  the  beginning,  that  the  objectionable  features  of 

Calvinism  should  not  be  advanced  in  the  books  published 

and  that  they  never  would  be  sanctioned  by  the  committee. 
Still  the  truth  is,  that  many  of  their  books  given  into  the 
hands  of  our  unsuspecting  children,  are  decidedly  Calvinistic 
— enough  so  for  the  maturest  mind;  and  where  this  boldness 
is  not  exhibited,  still  the  impi'ession  left  upon  the  mind  of 
the  child,  who  reads,  is  the  same,  and  his  thoughts  have,  per- 
haps, a  Calvinistic  turn  through  life.  1  might  select  many 
instances  in  proof  of  this  position, — but  I  will  give  but  two 
and  the  first  is  from  a  little  work  called  the  "Two  Arrows."^ 

"And  now,"  added  the  father,  "what  are  those  sticks  in  your  hands '" 
"Th^y  are  our  arrows,  f-ither,"  said  the  little  boys— "w'e  have  broke 
our  bows,    and  we  have  taken  the  weights  out   of  the  heads  of  our  ar- 
rows, and  we  thoug-ht  yoa  would  not  be  angrv  at  our  cai'rying  these  little 
sticks." 

"Let  me  look  at  them,"  said  the  father:  and  he  took  them  in  his  h?nd 

and  then  returned  them  to  the  children.  "    " 

"They  are  willow  sticks,"  said  Francis,  "and  quite  dead  and  dry  " 

"They  seem  to  be  dead,"  replied  the  father,  "and  good  for  nothine-'' 

and  he  du-ected  his  two  little  sons  to  lay  them  on  the  earth,  in  a  retired 

place,  near  a  brook,  by  which  they  were  walking;  so  Jiis  little  bo^■s  did 

as  they  were  required  to  do,  and  the  fither  and  his  children  walked  on. 

About  tliree  months   after  this,  when  the  winter  was  gone,  and  everv 

hedge  and  tali  tree  was  clothed  with  leaves  and  blossoms,  and  every  field 

was  covered  with  fresh  grass  and  springing  corn,  the  father  and  liis  son^ 

took  another  pleasant  walk,  and  coming  to  the  brook,  to  which  a  man  wa- 

drivmg  two  cows  to  drink,  the  little  boys  remembered  their  sticks   anc^ 

asked  their  father  if  they  might  see  if  they    were  where  they  had  lefr 

them,  "though  Idare  say,"  added  Francis,  "that  they  are  all 'rotten  and 

iallen  to  pieces  by  this  time. " 

"Perhaps  not,"  said  the  father,  "for  the  time  has  been  too  short  even 
for  the  driest  stick  to  go  to  dust;  but  you  may  look  for  them,  and  let  me 
know  the  state  m  which  you  find  them."  So  the  little  boys  beo-an  to 
grope  among  the  willow  bushes  which  grew  by  the  brook  till  theylbund 
the  exact  spot  where  they  had  laid  their  arrows;  and  when  they  found  1^ 
they  cried  "0!  father,  father,  here  are  our  sticks  just  where  we  lef- 
them,  and  one  is  green  and  fresh,  and  covered  with  a  new  rind,  smooth 
and  shming,  and  it  has  put  forth  leaves  and  little  buds;  but  the  other  is 
dryland  bare,  and  will  soon  fall  to  pieces.      Come,   father,    come  and 

The  kind  father  came,  and  he  looked  at  the  two  arrows,  and  one  was 
indeed  beconie  a  bloommg  little  tree,  while  the  other  was  fast  tendin^r  to 
decay:  and  these  were  the  remarks  which  he  made,  as  he  stood  lookinr 

Jl^^J'^^t  ^T'"  ^^  ^^'^'  "^^'^  '"^  ^^^  ^"?-er  of  God,  and  here  iii  thi. 
book  of  nature  he  makes  known  the  mysteries  of  his  providence.  These 
iit^e  branches,  both  of  which  appeared  at  one  time  dead  and  past  hope!  , 
are  holy  emblems  of  the  two  sorts  of  men:  the  dead  branch  is  the  type  of 
the  unregenerate  man,  him  in  whom  there  is  no  spiritual  life,  whose  heart 
has  remained  unchanged,    who  has  been /./^  i/his  naturalVon  uption^^ 


38  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

for  such,  nothing" is  prepared  but  inevitable  destruction;  while  the  living' 
branch  is  the  type  of  the  true  christian,  of  lilm  who  has  received  a  neW 
nature  and  a  clean  heart,  and  in  whom  dwelleth  the  root  of  immortal 
life. 

**No  difference,  appeared  in  these  little  sticks  when  you  laid  them  down 
in  this  place,  and  so  for  a  while  there  often  seems  to  be  an  exact  simili- 
tude between  the  children  of  God  and  the  children  of  the  evil  one. 
Both  of  these  arrows  were  bare,  and  without  loot  or  branch,  and  ap- 
peared to  be  cast  away;  and  in  like  manner,  those  little  children  who 
have  received  a  new  nature,  sometimes  appear  to  be  parted  from  Ckristf 
and  without  hope  from  the  strength  of  sin.  But  there  is  life  in  them^ 
and  they  are  again  restored  to  holiness;  they  bud  and  blossom  afresh,  and 
'spring"  up  as  among-  the  grass,  as  willows  by  the  water  brooks,'  Isa.  xliv, 
4 — while  the  wicked  'are  cast  out  of  their  graves  like  an  abominable 
branch,'  "  Isa.  xiv,  19." 

I  must  therefore  caution  the  members  and  friends  of  my 
church,  ag;\inst  purchasing  these  books,  under  the  impression 
that  they  are  all  approved  of  by  Methodists.  No  Methodist 
has  sanctioned  the  doctrines  above  as  evangelical,  unless  he 
has  sacrificed  his  views  to  others.  And  none  but  milk  and 
water  Methodists  would  remain  silent,  and  see  such  dogmas! 
pass  the  committee  of  publication.  I  have  no  doubt  but 
what  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  is  doing  some  good; 
bijit  it  is  not  by  the  false  impressions  to  which  it  is  giving 
currency,  but  by  its  industry  in  circulating  truths,  which 
with  the  blessing  of  God  affect  the  heart;  and  herein  I  rejoice 
greatly;  but  my  joy  is  nol  Jitil,  and  will  not  be  till  the  Union 
officially  corrects  these  impressions. 

That  the  reader  may  see  that  I  have  not  been  hasty  in  m}^ 
judgment  of  the  publications  of  the  Union,    1  will    add    a 
paragraph  from  a  w-ork,  called  "The  Shepherd  and  his  Flock.'^ 
The  design  of  this  volume  is  to  teach  the  doctrine  that  God^s 
<'elect"  cannot  finally  fall  so  as  to  perish  everlastingly.     The 
frontispiece  teaches  this.     It  represents  the  way  to  heaven 
by  a  "narrow   iron  rail  way"  within  which  '*The  Shepherd 
and  his  Flock"  walk.     On  the  left  are  a  number  of  "swine," 
representing  the  "children  of  this  world,"  which  in  distinc- 
tion from  <'his  elect"  are  ^'reprobates.     See  page  28.     On 
the  right  are  "The  Man  in  Black,"  and  his  "dogs,"  repre- 
senting the  "devil"  and  the  "persecutors  of  the  saints,"  who 
dart  out  furiously  at  the  "flock,  or  "his  elect,"  "but  from  the 
height  and  closeness  of  the  rails,  it  seems  impossible  for  them 
really  to  injure  the  sheep!"    See  also  page  28.     Reader,  im- 
partial reader,   is  there  no  Calvinism    here?     Are  not  the 
doctrines  of  election  and  reprobation,  and  of  the  final  per- 
i.  severance  of  the  saints  all  taught  here?     Not  content  to 
'   fjrint  or  write,  the  doctrines  of  Calvinism,  they  have  repre- 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  39 

sented  it  on  plates,  to  make  if  possible,  a  more  lasting 
impression  upon  the  mind  of  the  child.  But  now  comes  the 
extract: — 

*'The  dogs  represent  the  perskcutous  of  the  saiitts,  who,  like  their 
master,  hate  and  oppose  them  because  of  their  excellence.  These 
characters  were  once  to  be  found  only  amon^  idolaters,  Mahometans, 
Jews,  and  Papists;  but  now  they  also  exist  among-  those  who  call  them- 
selves Protestants."  *'I  admire  the  justness  of  this  representation," 
said  Master  Thoug-htful,  "for  in  their  nature,  these  persons  and  dogs  are 
equally  unclean;  and  in  their  attacks  equally  cruel  and  cowardly.  But 
from  the  height  and  closeness  of  the  rails,  it  seems  impossible  for  them 
really  to  injure  the  sheep."  *«That  is  indeed  the  case,"  replied  his  friend; 
*'and  the  Lord  lias  so  surrounded  his  elect  with  his  power,  that  none  can 
harm  them  while  pursuing  that  which  is  good.  And  whenever  they  are 
terrified,  he  bids  them  look  to  him  for  protection,  saying,  'Fear  not,  for 
I  am  with  thee;  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy  God;  I  will  help  thee,  yea 
r  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  o*f  my  righteousness.'  And 
though  heathens  and  papists  have  slain  thousands  of  them,  because  of 
their  love  to  religion,  they  have  not  destroyed  one.  No;  their  spirits  are 
rejoicing  in  heaven,  and  their  dust  sleeps  safely  in  the  earth,  waiting  the 
bright  morning  of  the  resurrection." 

In  addition  to  the  above,  I  could  show,  if  it  were  necessary, 
that  in  two  or  more  of  the  books  of  the  Union,  the  doctrine 
o^ christian  perfection^  is  set  at  nought;  a  doctrine  too,  highly 
esteemed  by  Methodists  and  Episcopalians,  being  as  they 
believe,  essential  to  salvation. 

But  this  is  not  all.  The  subject  under  consideration,  be- 
comes awful  and  alarming,  when  viewed  in  connexion  with 
the  eternal  destiny  of  our  children,  and  the  leading  princi- 
ples of  this  Union!— principles  not  only  essentially  wrong, 
but  practically  dangerous.  Any  man,  let  his  character  and 
heart  be  good  or  bad,  by  the  payment  of  three  dollars,  can 
become  a  member,  and  vote  in  the  election  of  managers. 

The  Arian— the  Unitarian— the  Unlversalist— the  Roman 
Catholic— the  Jews— the  Mormonites;  and  those  who  deny 
the  inspiration  of  the  scriptures,  or  even  the  existence  of  a 
God,  are  equally  privileged  with  those  termed  orthodox,  to 
be  represented  in  this  institution.  If  any  one  doubt  the 
correctness  of  this  position,  I  say  look  at  the  constitution. 
It  may,  in  all  probability,  be  said,  let  Christians  unite  with 
the  society  to  neutralize  their  influence.  Such  a  thing  ?5 
practicable.  But  it  may  also  be  said,  after  a  while,  let  Pres- 
byterians unite  with  the  society  to  neutralize  the  influence  of 
Arminians:  this  being  practicable  also. 


iO  HELPS   TO   THE   STUDY 


CHAPTER  V. 


Some  among  the  many  misrepresentations  made  bt 
the  managers  and  agents  of  the  american  sunday 
school  union. 

The  constant  practice  of  the  American  Sunday  School 
Union,  in  saying,  thdit  7nembers  of  the  methodist  denomina- 
tion are  actively  engaged  in  their  board,  lias  been  the  cause 
of  all  the  unpleasant  collisions  between  the  Union  and  the 
Methodist  church.  If  this  matter  were  adjusted  as  it  mighty 
and  ought  to  be,  what  peace  and  prosperity  would  attend  the 
Sunday  School  cause  throughout  this  land?  There  would  be 
less  jealousy  and  complaint;  and  there  would  be  more  emu- 
lation and  action.  But  until  this  is  done,  I  say  to  the  Union,, 
so  far  as  the  Methodists  are  concerned,  verily ,  your  plans 
will  meet  with  opposition. 

In  a  memorial,  signed  by  the  officers  and  managers  of  the 
Union,  *<In  answer  to  a  remonstrance,  presented  to  the 
legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  against  granting  an  act  of 
Incorporation  to  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,"  there 
is  the  following  paragraph: — "There  are  at  present,  con- 
nected with  the  society,  the  following  religious  denomina- 
tions: Episcopalians,  Methodists,  Baptists,  Presbyterians^ 
the  Associate  Reformed,  Lutherans,  Congregationalists, 
German  Reformed,  Reformed  Dutch,  Friends,  Moravians, 
Roman  Catholics,  and  we  believe  others.  No  one  denomi- 
nation HAS  AN  ascendancy,  nor  has  any  circumstance 
EVER  occured  in  the  history  of  the  institution,  in  which 
there  appeared  a  disposition  on  the  part  of  either,  to  exert 
an  undue  influence  over  the  rest.  The  undersigned  are 
i>;ratified  in  being  able  to  state,  that  they  have  never  disco- 
vered  any  thing  like  denominational  partiality ,  but  on  the 
contrary,  a  disposition  has  been  manifested  to  an  extraor- 
dinary degree,  to  merge  all  other  names  in  that  of  Chris- 
tian.'' 

In  an  address,  being  a  "defence  of  the  American  Sunday 
School  Union,''  delivered  by  the  Hon.  William  Hall, 
March  26,  1828;  and,  afterwards  published  by  the  Union, 
and  extensively  circulated,  we  iind  the  following  sentence: — 

«We  also  find,  that  the  society  is  composed  oi  Jive  differ-- 
ent  denominations  of  christians:  Episcopalians,  Metho- 
dists, Baptists,  Congregationalists,  and  Presbyterians.  Also^ 
Moravians,  Lutherans,  and  other  denominations," 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  41 

At  a  public  meeting  in  Colunbi;i,  S.  C,  held  on  the  3rd  of 
April,  1831,  it  was  stated  by  the  Rev.  R)bkrt  Bai:id, 
S^eneral  a^ent  for  the  xlmerican  Sunday  School  Uni  )n,  that 
the  Methodist  church  was  one  in  the  grand  U.iion;as  will  be 
Heen  from  the  following  extract  of  a  letter,  written  by  Dr. 
Capers,  then  stationed  in  Columbia,  to  the  editor  of  the 
ChrisUan  Advocate  and  Journal: — "I  beg  leave  to  enquire 
on  what  authority  it  can  be  asserted,  before  large  congrega- 
tions, in  South  Carolina  or  elsewhere,  that  the  Methoi'st 
church  is  one  in  the  grand  Union?  I  am  well  advise!  that 
the  general  agent  of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union,  quite  lately,  at 
Columbia,  S.  C,  enumerated  our  church  with  thosi^.  which 
areunited  under  that  designation,  to  establish  within  a  given 
time  Sunday  schools  throughout  the  western  country.  Is 
this  the  result  of  his  having  employed  perhaps  hvc;  or  six 
Methodist  ministers  to  lict  as  sub-agents  in  particular  dis- 
tricts, with  leave  to  form  schools  in  connexion  with  either 
the  American  Sunday  School  Union  or  that  of  our  o^va 
church.^  Is  it  possible  that  a  private  bargain  by  an  unau- 
thorized individual  can  thus  have  been  palmed  on  the  public 
as  if  it  were  the  act  of  the  church?  I  hope  not.  I  beg  for 
information.  The  gentleman  here  alluded  to  will,  I  trust, 
explain  the  matter,  for  it  requires  explanation." 

How  Mr  Baird,  could  have  mustered  up  sutficient  audacity, 
to  have  acted  thus,  after  the  severe  basting  Dr.  Bangs  gave 
him  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.  in  May,  1828,  I  am  utterly  at  a  loss  to 
divine!  No  sooner  had  the  General  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  convened  in  Pittsburg,  than 
they  were  informed  that  this  general  agent  of  the  American 
Sunday  School  Union  was  there,  with  a  view  to  invite  that 
body  *'to  express  its  approbation  of  the  principles  of  that 
association,  and  to  recommend  to  the  ministers  and  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  a  free  and  friendly 
union^  in  our  endeavors  to  increase  and  extend  the  facilities 
of  Sabbath  school  instruction,"  &c.  Accordingly,  a  commu- 
nication was  presented  to  the  Conference  by  the  general 
agent,  containing  the  above,  with  many  additional  remarks; 
among  others,  showing  the  utility  of  the  measure,  from  its 
tendency  to  prevent  controversy,  and  that  the  Methodists 
should  be  greatly  benefited  by  it,  as  they  might  obtain  all 
their  books  from  that  union,  and  thus  save  themselves  the 
expense  and  trouble  of  printing  them ! ! 

From  several  circumstances  which  occurred  in  the  General 
Conference,  on  that  occasion,  it  was  evident,   to  both  Mr. 
Baird  and  a  number  of  spectators,  that  there  was  a  very 
d2. 


42  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

general  feeling  of  surprise  and  indignation.  And  Dr.  Bangs 
delivered  a  speech  on  the  occasion,  in  the  hearing  of  the 
general  agent,  which,  it  was  thought,  would  last  him  all  the 
daysof  his  life;  but  from  his  conduct  in  Columbia,  three  years 
after  that,  it  really  seems  not  to  have  had  its  desired  effect. 

The  year  I  travelled  the  Tellico  circuit,  1831,  two  agents 
of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  the  Rev.  Messrs, 
White  and  Beecher,  were  travelling  through  almost  every 
part  of  East  Tennessee,  singing  every  where,  this  same  song 
of  equally  interested,  &c.  Such  was  the  pamful  state  of 
things,  within  the  bounds  of  my  cirpuit,  that  I  was  under  the 
disagreeable  necessity  of  publishing  them  in  my  daily  ap- 
pointments, to  guard  against  the  influence  they  were  like  to 
exert  on  the  Methodist  Sunday  Schools.  And  in  despite  of 
all  I  could  say  and  do,  they  did  take  some  of  my  schools  ia 
m}'  absence,  and  make  them  auxiliary  to  the  American  Union. 
Finally,  I  took  right  after  these  men — discussed  the  points 
of  difference  between  us  and  them  publicly — afterwards 
published  a  pamphlet  of  48  pages  against  them; — and  by 
this  means,  I  succeeded  in  chasing  them  off  out  of  the  Hiwas- 
see  district.  In  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Tellico,  or 
Madisonville,  as  it  is  now  called,  I  heard  Mr.  White  make 
the  following  statement  to  a  large  audience:  "You  are  ap- 
prised, my  friends,  that  there  have  been  some  unfortunate 
differences  among  the  several  denominations  with  regard  to 
the  American  Sunday  School  Union;  but  I  am  happy  to  in- 
form you  that  these  difficulties  have  been  amicably  adjusted, 
and  that  the  Methodists,  Baptists,  Presbyterians,  Episco- 
palians, &c.  are  all  engaged  in  promoting  the  interests  of  the 
Union."  He  then  proceeded  to  recommend  the  books  of 
the  Union,  as  both  cheap  and  free  from  all  seciarianisiny  &c. 

The  following  certificates,  taken  from  my  pamphlet,  will 
fully  exhibit  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Beecher: — 

"Whereas,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Brownlow  and  Beecher,  did, 
on  the  17th  of  April,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Stone,  contend  and 
debate  publicly  about  Sunday  schools;  and  whereas,  Mr. 
Brownlow  did  aver  and  say,  that  tiie  Methodist  church  had 
xio  connection  with  the  Americen  Sunday  School  Union 
whatever;  and  inasmuch  as  Mr.  Beecher  arose  and  stated  to 
the  congregation  that  he  could  disprove  Mr.  Brownlovv's 
statements  by  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  without 
applying  to  any  other  source;  this  is  to  certify,  that  we,  the 
undersigned,  did  hear  said  Beecher  read  a  letter,  which  he 
said  was  from  "a  respectable  Methodist  in  Philadelphia,-' 
together  with  an  extract  which  he  said  was  from  the  Christian 


OV  PRESBYTBRIANISM.  4S 

Advocate  and  Journal,  edited  by  Dr.  Bangs.  We,  moreorer 
certify,  that  Mr.  Beecher  did  so  read  and  comment  on  said 
letter  and  extract,  and  particularly  the  latter,  as  to  malte  it 
appear  that  the  writers  of  them  preferred  the  American  Union 
to  any  other,  and  also  recommended  the  same.  Given  under 
our  hands,  May  5th,  1831.  JOHN  KEY, 

CARTER  TRIM, 
REUBEN  STONE." 

"Whereas,  Mr.  Brownlow  has  called  on  us  to  give  an 
account  of  the  proceedings  of  Mr.  Beecher,  in  organizing  a 
Sunday  school  in  our  neighborhood,  this  is  to  certify,  that 
we  (the  Methodists)  have  had  a  Sunday  school  in  our  school 
house  for  the  last  two  years;  and  that  said  Beecher  did  preach 
a  sermon  and  make  a  great  many  remarks,  in  all  of  which 
we  understood  him  to  teach  that  the  Methodists,  Baptists, 
Presbyterians,  Episcopalians,  &c.  were  equally  interested  in 
tlie  American  Sunday  School  Union.  We,  moreover  certify,, 
that  in  view  of  these  statements  being  correct,  we  consented 
to  UNITE  our  schools,  and  two  of  our  members  are  teachers. 
May  15,  1831.  JOHN  W.  JOHNSTON, 

JAMES  SMITH, 
NATHAN  CARTER.'^ 

I  have  only  to  add,  that  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Stone,  we  had 
ai  Sunday  school,  and  the  family  had  told  Mr.  Beecher  so 
the  week  before  our  debate.  With  regard  to  the  six  gentle- 
men whose  names  are  attached  to  these  certificates,  three  of 
them  are  local  preachers,  one  a  class- leader,  and  the  other 
two,  I  believe,  lay  members  of  our  church. 

But  in  addition  to  the  information  contained  in  the  forego- 
ing certificates,  Mr.  Beecher,  on  the  day  of  our  controversy, 
stated  that  he  had  in  his  possession  a  letter  from  a  very 
respectable  Methodist,  who  was  a  Judge  of  the  supreme 
court  of  the  United  States,  and  a  Vice-President  of  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union,  and  that  this  gentleman 
prefered  the  Union,  &c.  I  demanded  this  letter,  but  he 
would  not  show  it;  and  indeed  subsequent  circumstances  have 
proven,  that  he  had  no  such  letter!  That  the  honorable 
gentleman  to  whom  he  alludes,  is  a  pious  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  a  patriotic  statesman,  an  able 
jurist,  an  honest  man,  and  a  gentleman,  is  all  true;  but  that  he 
has  any  particular  partialities  for  the  American  Union,  is 
wholly  untrue.  I  wrote  to  this  gentleman  on  this  subject, 
and  requested  him  to  say  to  me  what  were  the  facts  in  the 


tt  HELPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

case,  so  far  asWe  was  concerned.  He  accordingly  wrote  me 
a  very  s-aisfactory  letter,  dated  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  13th 
May,  18.n,  in  which,  by  the  bye,  he  says  the  officers  of  this 
institution,  elected  himself  and  one  or  two  other  members 
of  the  supr8;ne  court,  to  the  office  of  Vice  P'-esident,  with- 
ouf  tlieir  knowledge  or  consent:  and  that  the  corresponding^ 
secretary,  had  invited  him  to  attend  the  annual  meeting  in 
Philadelpiiia  that  sprincr,  but  that  lie  did  nc^ts^o. 

In  September,  1831,  I  vvrote  to  Dr.  Ely,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  requested  him  to  give  me  sotne  information  on  certain 
points  connected  with  the  national  societies  in  general,  and 
that  of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union  in  particular;  though  I  confess,  I 
then  believed,  and  still  believe,  I  vv.is  as  well  informed  on 
those  points  is  the  Doctor  was  himself.  My  reason  for  ad- 
dres.sing  him  on  this  subject,  was,  that  a  writer  in  the  *'Hi- 
wassean  and  x\thens  Gazette,"  a  little  political  paper  under 
the  control  of  the  Hopkinsians,  had  said,  that  if  any  person 
desired  information  on  those  points,  among  many  other  great 
men  whom  ho  named,  let  the  individual  write  to  Djctor  Ely. 
Now,  the  Hopkinsians,  from  first  to  last,  have  brought  as 
many  "railing  accusations"  against  me  for  writing  this  letter, 
and  have  made  as  much  noise  about  it,  as  the  devil  did  about 
the  body  of  Moses!  They  admit  that  I  gave  my  proper 
signature;  but  they  charge  me  with  taking  the  Doctor  in,  by 
making  an  impression  on  his  mind  that  /  ivus  a  Presbyte- 
rian! But  does  this  justify  him  in  turn,  in  attempting  to 
make  a  false  impression  upon  my  mind? 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  my  letter: — ■ 

<<A  Methodist  preacher  in  this  vicinity,  has  recently 
published  a  pamphlet,  in  which  he  has  opposed  the  BibJQ, 
Tract,  and  Sunday  School  Societies;  and  has  made  ma^ny  quo- 
tations iVom  your  writings,  and  represented  you,  as  wishing 
an  establishment  by  law.  Please  write  to  me,  and  let  me 
know  in  your  letter,  what  relation  the  different  denominations 
sustain  to  these  soc'eties,  and  especially  the  American  Sun- 
day School  Union." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Doctor's  lengthy 
reply  to  the  above:  — 

^'Philadelphia,  Oct.  14,  1831. 

Dear  Sir — The  managers  and  otBcers  of  the  American 
Sunday  School  Union  are  in  nearly  equal  portions  members 
of  the  Presbyterian,  Methodist,  Baptist,  and  Episcopal 
churches.  The  publishing  committee  consists  of  e/ght  mem- 
bers; of  whom  two  are  Baptists,  two  Episcopalians,  two 
Presbyterians,  two  Methodists;  and  nothing  ispublished  by 


or  PRESBYTERIANI8M.  45 

the  Union  which  does  not  meet  their  unanimous  approba- 
tion! 

At  every  anniversary  meeting  of  the  Union,  persons  of 
the  Congregational,  Methodist,  Episcopal,  Baptist  and  Pres- 
byterian denon:inations  have  taken  part  in  the  public  exer- 
cises, and  have  strongly  recommended  the  institution  to  the 
patronage  of  the  public.  True  it  is,  that  some  of  the  Metho- 
dists have  a  Sunday  School  Union  of  their  own;  and  should 
this  union  choose  to  send  their  annual  report  to  the  A.  S.  S. 
Union,  they  would  have  all  the  privileges  of  the  largest  con  ^ 
tributors,  without  contributing  a  ceiit,  or  changing  one  of 
their  regulations/' 

Now  the  Doctor,  by  saying  ^^some^^  of  the  Methodists 
have  a  union  of  their  own,  would  evidently  impress  my  mind 
with  the  belief,  that  the  great  body  of  the  Methodists  go  for 
the  American  Union. 

And  by  saying  ^'nothing  is  published  by  the  Union  that 
does  not  meet"  the  unanimous  approbation  of  the  four  de- 
nominations he  names,  he  would  evidently  induce  me  to 
believe,  that  the  books  of  the  American  Sunday  School 
Union  are  as  heartily  approved  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
ehurch,  as  by  the  Presbyterian  church.  Not  any  of  this  is 
true,  absolutely  and  unequivocally  not  true;  and  I  should 
suppose  that  the  Doctor  himself  would  know  that  such  infer- 
ences are  incorrect. 

But  so  late  as  1834,  it  will  be  seen,  by  perusing  the  follow- 
ing extract  of  a  letter  from  the   Rev.  E.  W.    Daughty,  of 
Augusta,  Ga.,  to   the  editors  of  the  Christian  Advocate  and 
Journal,  bearing  date  March  ISth,   that  the  agents  of  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union,  are  still,  like  the  Jesuits  of 
China  and  France,  driving  through  the  continent  with  a  zeal 
and  ambition  that  know  no  termination  but  success;  carrymg 
with  them  as  usual,  a  mixture  of  light  and  darkness,  truth  and 
falsehood.     Behold  the   extract! — "Three  of  their  agents, 
the  Rev.  Mr    Baird,  of  the  Presbyterian  church ;  the  Rev. 
Mr.   Welch,  of   the    Baptist   church;   and  the   Rev.   Mr. 
Shepherd,   of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  at  a  public 
meeting  of  the  citizens  of  this  place  very  recently,  have  con- 
tributed much  to  confirm  the  public  mind  in  the  impression 
that  the  M.  E.  church  has  an  equal  interest  with  the  Presby- 
terians, and  all  others  in  the  American  Union;  although  all 
who  read  the  Advocate  will  discover,  especially  in  some  late 
numbers,  that  this  is  not  the  fact;  though  i^w  comparatively, 
out  of  the  church,  and  not  all  in  it  see  your  paper     They 


40  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

asked  the  public,  and  obtained  over  ^700  to  carry  on  the 
operations  of  the  American  Union  in  Georgia — one  of  their 
objects  being  to  fix  a  depository  in  this  city  for  their  books.'' 

This  Mr.  Shepherd,  who  has  been  an  agent  for  several 
years,  for  this  institution,  is  in  reality  a  local  preacher  in  the 
Methodist  church;  and  when  at  home  resides  in  Nashville, 
Tennessee.  But,  it  is  sufficient  to  say  explicitly,  that  if  all 
the  ngents  of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union  were  Methodist  preachers, 
it  would  not  alter  the  case.  In  this  matter,  they  do  not 
represent  our  church:  and  those  of  them  who  are  agents 
know  it^  though  they  have  not  the  honesty  to  apprise  the 
public  of  the  fact.  And  when  they  say  or  do  any  thing  which 
has  a  tendency  to  make  an  iTupj^ession^  that  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  has  any  part  or  lot  in  the  operations  of  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union,  they  misrepresent  facts, 
and  deceive  the  people — and  of  course  they  do  it  wilfully^ 
Yes,  they,  with  all  others  who  act  thus,  agents,  managers, 
and  officers,  are  guilty  ol  misrepresentation  and  deception. 
For,  ^'"misrepresentation,''^  says  Noah  Webster,  is,  '*a  false 
or  incorrect  account  given  either  from  mistake,  carelessness^ 
or  772«/?ce"— and  I  add,  design. 

Webster's  definition  of  the  word  deception,  is,  among 
many  other  things;  '*Any  declaration,  artifice  or  practice 
-which  misleads  another."  Such  6/ec/ar«//o?i,s  for  instance, 
as  those,  by  which  these  three  gentlemen  Tnislead  the  minds 
of  the  good  people  of  Augusta.  And  let  such  ''declarations'' 
as  those  quoted  in  the  foregoing  extracts,  come  from  whom 
they  may,  I  answer  them  as  follows: 

"Hig-hland  or  Lowland— Prince  or  Peer; 
Lord  Ang-us — thou  hast  lied." 

And  now  reader,  in  confirmation  of  what  I  have  stated 
above,  I  will  here  subjoin  two  extracts  from  the  report  of  the 
General  Conference  of  the  .VJethodist  Episcopal  church,  held 
in  Philadelphia,  in  May  1832;  and  having  been  a  member  of 
that  body  myself,  I  know  that  the  report,  from  which  I  make 
these  extracts,  speaks  the  sentiments  of  that  body,  and  that 
it  was  adopted  by  a  unanimous  vote.  That  cont^erence  was 
eomposed  of  about  two  hundred  and  thirty  ministers,  some 
from  every  state  in  the  Union,  and  constitutes  the  highest 
ecclesiastical  court  in  our  church.  Hear  what  they  officially 
say: 

*'For  these  and  other  reasons,  especially  that  we  consider 
NATIONAL  religious  societies  incompatible  with  the  safety  of 
our  FREE  institutions,  both  civil  and  religious,  we  have  long 
been  known  as  in  opposition  to  them.'' 


OT  PRESBYTERIANISM.  47 

Again:  ^'Resolved/*  &c.  <«As  the  sense  of  this  General 
Conference,  that  it  is  inexpedient  for  any  of  our  preach- 
ers, TRAVELLING  OR  LOCAL,  TO  ENGAGE  AS  AN  AGENT  IN 
BEHALF    OF    ANY    INSTITUTION   NOT    CONNECTED    WITH    OUR 

CHUitcii,  with  the  exception  of  the  colonization  society. '^^ 

And  to  show  my  readers  that  all  is  not  as  the  manngers, 
officeis,  and  agents  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union 
would  have  us  su})|30se,  I  present  ihem  wiih  tl  e  following 
panigraph  from  the  "World,"  a  respectable  Baptist  paper 
published  in  Philadelphia: — 

"'['he  question  is  not  whether  the  American  Sunday  School 
Union  has  been  the  instrument  of  doins^  good  or  not:  but 
whether  thp  Baptist  denomination  will  rest  satisfied  wiih  the 
gooti  the  Union  is  accomplishing.  Is  the  Baptist  denomina- 
tion willing  to  make  the  A.  S.  S.  Union  the  depository  of  its 
interests?  We  answer,  NO.  It  would  he  worse  than  folly 
and  infatuation  for  them  to  do  so.  The  American  Union 
never  has,  and  never  can,  fill  the  place  we  should  wish  a 
Baptist  Sunday  School  Union  to  occupy.  Does  our  brother 
X.  object  to  this,  or  is  he  wWYw^^^ihwionr peruliar doctrines 
should  be  laid  on  the  shelf  to  be  covered  with  dust,  and  be 
forgotten?  If  he  is,  he  has  only  to  consijin  them  over  to  the 
■American  Sunday  School  Union,  whose  very  organization 
prevents  it  from  meddling  with  them,  and  his  object  will  be 
accomplished." 

I  ask  particular  attention  to  the  above;  and  particular!}^  on 
the  part  of  the  Baptists,  should  this  work  fall  into  their 
hands,  as  I  trust  it  will.  On  my  way  douMi  from  the  seat  of 
government  in  New  Jersey,  to  Philadelphia,  on  board  of  a 
steam  bo:i%  in  the  Delawi.re  river,  in  the  spring  of  IS32,I 
recollect  to  have  conversed  freely  and  fully,  with  a  highly' 
respectable  Baptist  minister  on  the  subject  of  the  national 
societies,  who  was  then  a  resident  of  the  last  named  city;  and 
he  remarked  to  me,  that  he  was  then,  and  had  been  for  some 
time,  laboiing  to  convince  his  brethren  of  the  dangerous 
tendency  of  those  societies. 

Lft  the  following  extract  from  the  "Chi-istian  Intelligen- 
cer," of  July,  1833,  a  Duch  Reformed  paper  of  the  city  of 
New  York,  be  carefully  read;  and  it  will  show  clearly,  the 
light  in  which  that  church  regards  the  American  Union,  and 
its  agents.  The  extract  is  taken  from  an  article  in  which  ''an 
-agent  of  the  S.  S.  Union,"  is  charged  with  access  to  one  of 
their  churches,  in  which  he  tau^^jit  false  doctrines.  The 
article  advi-es  to  resist  these  agents!!  Hear  it!!  »'At]eastj 
if  notwithstanding  all  our  watchfulness,    it   should  happen, 


4,8  HELPS   TO   THE   STUDY 

that  one  of  these  time-serving  agents  should  creep  in  una- 
wares, Jude  4,  <privily  to  bring  in  damnable  heresies'  among 
us,  Peter  ii,  1,  we  would  at  once  demonstrate  his  false  teach- 
ing, and  then  caution  the  congregation  neither  to  receive  him 
into  their  houses,  nor  bid  him  God  speed.  We  trust  our 
worthy  brother  will  so  act  at  P.  And  we  hope  all  our 
CHURCHES  will  be  upon  their  guard  against  these  agents,  un- 
less their  design,  principles  and  objects  are  well  known  and 
decisively  approved.  For  our  part,  we  have  determined  no 
longer  to  encourage  some  of  the  crafty  and  irresponsible 
AGENTS,  whose  grand,  if  not  sole,  object  is  this — to  procure 
a  good  temporary  income,  and  the  opportunity  to  select  a 
choice  place  of  settlement.     Beware  of  them!" 

May  Heaven  smile  upon  the  editor  of  the  Intelligencer! 
for,  verily,  he  is  in  the  faith.  Truly  he  has  said  multum  in 
parvo.  From  the  annual  report  of  the  American  Union,  by 
PAUL  BECK,  treasurer,  "from  March  1st,  1831,  to  March  1st, 
1832,"  it  will  be  seen  that  the  whole  amount  of  expenditures 
for  the  society  for  that  year  is,   seventy-seven  thousand, 

FOUR    HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY-FOUR    DOLLARS  AND    EIGHTY-SIX 

€ENTs!!!  Of  this  sum,  twenty-thousand  and  six  hun- 
dred DOLLARS,  went  to  pay  "missionaries,  agents,  and  inci- 
dental expenses"  in  the  valley  of  the   Mississippi!!     And 

six    thousand,  four  hundred  and    forty  EIGHT  DOLLARS, 

went  to  pay  the  salaries  of  officers,  agents,  &c.  And  the 
above  is  a  fair  specimen  of  the  expenditures  of  every  year, 
otherwise  than  that  they  continually  increase;  so  that  upon 
the  whole,  this  Dutch  Reformed  editor,  is  justifiable  in  say- 
ing, the  "sole  object"  of  these  < 'time-serving agents"  is,  ''to 
procure  a  good  temporary  income." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

CORRESPONDENCE  BETWEEN  BISHOP  OTEY  OF  THE  PROTES- 
TANT EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  AND  THE  REV.  MR.  SHEPHERD, 
AGENT  OF  THE  AMERICAN  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  UNION. 

''To  the  Editors  of  the  W.  W.  RevieuK 
Gintlimen:  In  your  paper  issued  June  29,  I  perceive  under  the  edi- 
torial head,  a  notice  of  the  Sunday  School  celebration,  which  was  heiJ 
the  preceding  Lord's  day  at  the  Methodist  church.  Considerable  misap- 
prehension prevails  as  to  the  objects  and  purposes  of"  that  meeting-.  It 
ought  to  have  been  stated,  gentlemen,  that  the  main  design  of  the  pro- 
jectors of  the  celebration,  was  to  further  exclusively  the  objects  of  an 
institution,  styled  the  American  Sunday  School  Union.     For  aught  that 


OFPRESBYTERIAXISM.  ^ 

.ijppeavs  to  the  contrary  in  your  notice,  the  public  might  be  led  to  suppose 
that  all  the  Sunday  Schools  at  this  place,  and  in  this  county  were  in- 
terested in  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting  referred  to,  and  would  be 
benefitted  by  the  liberality  which  the  public  displayed  on  that  occasion. 
Under  this  impression  contributions  were  made.  This  is  the  idea  which 
perhaps  yet  prevails  extensively  through  this  community.  It  is  alto- 
g-ether  a  mistaken  one,  and  ought  to  be  corrected.  The  Simday  schools 
under  the  management  of  the  Methodist  and  Episcopal  churches  have  no 
connection  in  any  way  that  I  can  learn  with  the  A.  S.  S.  Union;  and  of 
course  derive  no  benefit  from'  collections  of  money  made  to  further  its 
^operations. 

It  may  be  proper  to  state  here  that  this  insti/ution,  the  A,  S.  S.  Union 
professedly  contemplates  a  union  of  the  variais  denominations  of  Chris- 
tians in  the  U.  States.  I  shall  not  stop  here  to  discuss  the  question  whicfi 
might  very  properly  be  raised,  whether  sucb  a  union  is  possible,  without 
destroying  Christianity  itself,  or  at  least  some  of  its  essential  features  as  a 
system  ot  revealed  truth,  but  shall  simply  state  the  fact,  that  both  the  Epis- 
•copal  and  Methodist  denominations  disclaim  all  part  or  lot  in  the  matter  of 
the  A.  S.  S  U.  The  Baptists  have  in  some  instances  recommended  this 
iostitiltion  to  the  patronage  of  their  brethren.  The  Presbyterians  have 
oiRcially  by  their  church  councils  and  otherv^^ise,  contributed  all  in  their 
power  to  extend  its  influence,  and  all  the  Sunday  schools  under  the 
iliansg:ment  of  the  ministers  and  congregations  of  that  denomination,  are 
I  believe,  without  a  single  exception,  auxiliary  to  the  A.  S.  S.  Union. 
We  have  nothing  to  say  against  this; — if  the  Presbyterians  a/id  Baptist? 
think  that  in  this  way  they  can  bt-st  promote  the  cause  of  S.  School  edu- 
cation, let  them  go  on  and  expend  their  strength  and  treasure  to  effect 
an  end  which  we  also  have  at  heart,  and  which  we  are  striving  to  f"rthei' 
in  our  own  way,  and  upon  principles  which  we  conscientiously  believe  to 
be  better.  But  in  the  name  of  all  that  is  honest  and  fair  and  reasonable, 
let  it  be  understood,  that  this  difference  in  plans  and  views  and  measures 
does  really  exist,  and  let  not  the  people  be  gulled  by  the  specious  pre- 
tence of  a  name,  to  lend  their  aid  and  give  their  money  to,  they  know  not 
what. 

I  may  hereafter  have  occasion  to  say  more  of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union;  the 
principles  by  which  it  is  held  together;  the  nature  and  tendency  of  its 
publications,  &c. .  at  present  I  wish  to  call  your  attention  to  the  late  pro- 
ceedings in  this  town. 

The  agent,  (Mr.  Shepherd,)  at  the  late  anniversary,  endeavored  to  im- 
press  it  upon  the  public  mind  that  the  A.  S.  S.  Union  received  the  hearty 
concurrence  and  support  of  all  the  different  denominations  in  this  coun- 
try—that the  Presbyterian,  Baptist,  Methodist  and  Episcopal  churches 
were  all  united  in  furtherance  of  its  plans  and  objects.  Under  the  per- 
suasion that  such  was  the  fact,  two  gentlemen  highly  respected  for  char- 
acter, talents,  and  influence  in  the  community,  were  induced  to  address 
the  meeting  on  the  24th  ult.,  in  order  to  stimulate  the  people  present  to 
make  a  liberal  contribution.  Now,  gentlemen,  I  can  assure  you,  and  F 
do  assert,  without  fear  of  contradiction,  that  neither  the  Methodist  nor 
Episcopal  churches  have  any  thing  at  all  to  do  with  the  A.  S.  8.  Union 
They  have  no  voice  in  its  management — no  control  over  its  publications- 
desire  no  benefit  from  its  operations,  and  are  connected  with  k  in  no  way 
whatever.  Did  not  the  agent  know  this'  If  ignorant  of  the  fact,  how 
cmxld  he  presume  to  deliver  before  an  intelligent  assembly  a  discourse, 
the  whole  tendency  of  which  was  to  produce  and  fix  the  impression, 
that  the  institution  of  which  he  was  the  accredited  agent,  received  the 
support  of  both  the  Episcopal  and  Methodist  denominations?  If  on  the 
E 


60  HEXPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

contrary,  Mr  S  was  acquainted  with  the  fact  that  these  respectable  bodie* 
of  people,  disclaimed  all  connection  with  the  union  of  which  he  was  the 
public  advocate — that  they  had  discl^med  it  repeatedly,  publicly  and 
officially,  (as  they  have  done  in  the  publications  under  their  control,  and 
directly  or  indirectly  by  the  voice  of  their  respective  ecclesiastical  coun- 
cils,) he  will  find  some  diflUculty,  to  say  the  least,  in  reconciling  the 
statements  upon  which  he  has  publicly  ventured,  with  that  integrity  of 
character  which  attached  to  the  high  and  holy  ofiice,  under  the  sacred 
responsibility  of  which  he  professes  to  act.  For  to  justify  the  sentiments 
and  language  which  he  uttered  on  that  occasion,  it  is  not  sufficient  to 
show  that  a  Methodist  or  Episcopalian  is  to  be  found  here  and  there,  pro- 
moting the  interests  of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union.  The  impression  evidently 
designed  to  be  made — the  impression  which  undoubtedly  was  made  upon 
the  minds  of  those  not  preriously  informed  upon  this  subject  was,  that 
Methodists  and  Episcopalians  collectively,  as  denominations  of  christians, 
are  lending  their  efforts  and  influence  to  forward  the  objects  and  views  of 
the  A.  S.  S.  Union.  So  far  fi-ora  this  being  true,  both  these  denomina- 
tions have  respectively  their  own  Sunday  School  Unions, — have  presses 
in  operation  for  the  publication  of  such  works  as  they  deem  suitable,  and 
have  depositories  established  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  The  books. 
Sec.  at  these  depositories  are  sold  at  a  price  which  barely  defrays  the 
expense  of  paper  and  printing.  It  may  be  further  stated  that  they  are  not 
at  the  expense  of  employing  agents  to  traverse  the  towns,  cities,  and  vil- 
lages of  the  U.  States,  to  make  collections  of  money;  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  which  must  necessarily,  be  diverted  from  its  generally  supposed 
destination,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  travelling,  the  salaries  of  agents, 
&.C.  Large  sums  of  money  are  undoubtedly  collected  from  the  people  of 
this  country,  with  the  avowed  object  of  furnishing  books,  &c.to  Sunday 
schools,  when  from  the  published  reports  of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union,  it  is  cer- 
tain that  very  considerable  amounts  are  annually  appropriated  to  pay  the 
salaries  of  editors,  secretaries,  agents,  he.  &c. 

To  the  testimony  upon  this  subject,  see  3d  report,  A.  S.  S.  U. 
Cash  paid  salary  Cor.   Sec.   Editor  and  Assistant  Editor  nearly  12 
months,  |1045  20 

Do.  do.    Gen.  Agent,  9  m.  750  00 

Do.  Travelling  expenses  Gen.  Agent,  126  45 

Do.  Salary  late  Agent,  5  m.  260  67 

*'         "  Clerk  to  Cor.  Sec.  nearly  13  m.  189  00   * 

"        '*  Book-keeper  7  m.  1  week,  155  76 

These  are  a  few  items  of  a  list  which  five  or  six  years  ago  swelled  the 
expenses  of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union  to  the  sum  of  $27,753  73!!  Consider- 
ing the  exertions  which  have  been  made  since  that  time  to  extend  the 
operations  of  the  above  named  establishment,  we  may  fairly  estimate  its 
present  annual  expenditures  at  something  like  75  or  80  thousand  dollars. 
I  wish  Messrs.  Editors  you  would  enquire  for,  and  get  the  last  annual 
report,  for  I  think  it  more  than  likely  that  the  estimate  I  have  suggested 
is  too  small.  I  have  now  lying  before  me  the  5th  anniversary  report  of 
theProt.  Ep.  S.  S.  Union.  From  an  examination  of  the  treasurer's  report, 
I  am  unable  to  find  that  a  single  dollar  has  been  paid  away  in  salaries  for 
editors,  agents,  &c.  Nearly  every  single  expense  incurred  is  on  account 
of  printing,  sales;  purchases  of  Sunday  School  Books  and  stereotyping. 
The  amount  of  money  necessary  to  purchase  all  the  requisite  books 
for  a  Sunday  School  is  very  small.  The  Episcopal  Sunday  School  at  this 
place  has  been  in  operation  some  four  or  five  years.  The  sum  total  rais- 
ed to  purchase  books  by  public  contribution  does  not  exceed  fifteen  dol- 
lars, in  all  that  time.     And  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  with  the  amount 


or    PRESB  YTERIASriSM.  61 

raised  on  tlie  24th ult.  lean  purchase  books  sufficient  for  the  purposes 
of  every  Sunday  School  for  two  years  to  come,  that  is  already  in  exist- 
ence, or  can  be  established  in  Williamson  county. 

The  expenditures  noted  above  in  the  report  of  the  American  Sunday 
School  Union  are  doubtless  necessary  for  such  an  institution.  Its  extend- 
ed operations  could  not  be  carried  on  without  a  large  amount  of  money. 
But  this  does  not  show  that  the  principles  on  which  that  institution  is 
founded,  are  right — nor  the  measures  adopted  for  its  management  expe- 
dient— nor  yet  does  it  furnish  the  shadow  of  a  reason  why  the  people 
here  should  contribute  to  it  their  money,  to  support  its  agents,  and  oth- 
er officers,  when  they  can  purchase  books  on  as  good  or  better  terms  from 
other  institutions  within  their  reach.  The  agents  of  the  American  Sun- 
day School  Union  pass  through  the  country  and  actually  speak  and  act  as 
though  all  the  Sunday  Schools  wherever  they  came,  were  under  their  con- 
trol or  management,  and  must  assemble  at  their  bidding  and  listen  to  all 
the  farrago  they  may  think  proper  to  deal  out.  Against  ^uch  doings,  and 
as  we  conceive  misdoings,  we  enter  our  solemn  protest  before  a  candid 
and  enlightened  public.  Thousands  of  dollars  have  been  raised  in  the 
Atlantic  States,  if  the  public  prints  speak  truly,  and  placed  at  the  dispo- 
sal of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union,  for  the  special  purpose  of  establishing  Sun- 
day Schools  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi:  and  yet  the  people  all  thro'' 
this  region  almost  in  hearing  of  the  roar  of  its  waves,  have  their  ears 
stunned  continually  by  cries  of  money,  money,  from  the  agents  of  this 
Union.  Instead  of  going  out  into  the  hills  and  vallies,  they  come  to  the 
towns  where  schools  have  been  established  for  years, — 'where  are  com- 
monly to  be  found  two  or  three  Ministers  of  the  gospel  actively  engaged 
in  imparting  Sunday  School  instruction,  and  here  they  put  forth  their  ef- 
forts to  enlighten  the  whole  valley  of  the  Mississippi. 

I  have  but  a  remark  or  two  more  to  make.  I  am  told  that  85  or  86 
dollars  were  collected  on  the  24th  ult.  It  was  understood,  and  perhaps 
stated  that  whatever  money  was  contributed  would  be  returned  in  books. 
Now  do  the  people  here  know  how  this  return  is  to  be  made?  I  think  I 
can  inform  them;  and  if  I  am  wrong  in  my  understanding  of  the  matter, 
I  shall  be  glad  to  be  corrected.  A  depository  of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union  will 
be  established  at  Franklin,  in  which  will  be  constantly  kept  a  supply  of 
books  equal  to  the  amount  subscribed  by  the  people  of  this  place.  But 
iione  of  the  books  in  the  depository  can  be  used  by  the  S.  School  of 
this  county  until  purchased;  they  do  not  form  a  library  for  public  use, 
neither  are  they  gratuitously  distributed.  The  people  of  this  place  then, 
pay  from  80  to  a  100  dollars  for  the  privilege  of  having-  a  depository  of 
the  A.  S.  S.  Union  established  here,  at  which  they  may  buy  books  at 
cost.  I  ask  any  reftecting  man,  where  is  the  great  advantage  of  forward- 
ing the  plans  of  this  Union'  By  establishing  the  depository,  the  public 
will  in  effect  pay  nearly  double  what  the  books  would  cost,  if  purchased 
at  other  depositories  in  the  county.  But  from  the  statements  made  on 
the  24th  ult.,  a  large  majorit/,  perhaps  of  those  present,  expected  that 
whatever  was  contributed  on  that  occasion,  would  be  returned  in  books, 
to  be  apportioned  out  when  called  for,  gratuitously,  to  the  different  Sun- 
day Schools  in  Williamson  county . 

In  conclusion  permit  me  to  say,  that  I  regret  the  necessity  under  which 
I  feel  myself  placed,  of  making  the  foregoing  statements.  But  acting 
from  a  sense  of  duty  to  the  people  who  attend  my  ministration — to  the 
cause  of  Sunday  School  instruction  generally — to  the  church  of  God, 
and  realizing  the  obligations  under  which  the  kind  offices  of  the  inhabit- 
ftftts  of  this  place  have  laid  me,  I  have  not  shunned  the  responsibility  of 


52  HELPSTOTHESTUDT 

making  an  exposure  which  the  eircumstances  of  the  ease  lomdly  demand- 
ed. Very  Respectfully,  yours,  &c. 

Jas.  H.  Otet. 
Frankhn,  July  9,  1832. 

"The  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  hut  the  truth.'* 
*'To  the  Editors  of  the  W.  TV.  Review. 

Gektlkmen:  In  your  paper  of  the  13th  July,  I  perceive  some  stric- 
tures on  our  late  x\nniversary  held  in  the  Methodist  church  in  Franklin,, 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Otey.  It  is  with  extreme  reluctance  I  now  appear  be- 
fore the  public,  nor  would  I,  only  that  truth,  the  improvement  of  the  ri- 
sing generation,  and  public  feeling  and  sentiment,  imperiously  call  for  it. 
Morever  he  has  misrepresented  the  case. 

Mr.  Otey  first  says  it  was  my  design  to  further  exclusively,  the  objects 
of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union,  by  which  he  means  the  Sunday  Schools,  attached 
to  that  Union.  Now,  if  he  will  permit  me  to  understand  and  express 
my  own  designs,  I  say  his  statementis  not  true.  It  was  my  design  to  ben- 
efit all  schools  in  the  county  alike,  of  whatever  name,  or  to  wiiomsoever 
they  may  belong, — and  all  may  derive  equal  benefits  if  they  will,  Mr. 
Otey*s  not  excepted.  Let  me  here  add,  it  is  an  express  injunction  in  my 
commission  to  organize  Sunday  Schools  auxiliary  to  the  Methodist  church, 
to  ]^r.  Otey's  church,  or  to  any  other,  and  give  them  a  donation  also,  if 
necessary.  I  appeal  to  an  enlightened  public,  is  this  not  generous,  lib- 
eral, and  equitable  as  could  be  desired?  The  misfortune  with  him  was^ 
that  he  began  to  censiu-e,  blame,  and  condemn,  in  relation  to  a  subject 
he  did  not  understand. 

The  second  point  he  touches  is,  that  this  institution  contemplates  a. 
union  of  the  various  denominations  of  christians;  it  contemplates  a  union 
of  effort,  and  that  optional,  but  no  sacrifice  of  religious  sentiment, 
usa.sce,  or  doctrine,  by  any  church.  If  he  will  only  embrace  the  subject 
in  all  its  magnitude,  he  will  see  nothing  less  wnll  effect  the  object.  There 
are  now  tliree  million  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  children  eligible 
for  Sunday  Schools  in  the  United  States.  Now,  let  me  ask  the  best  cal- 
culator, could  any  or  all  the  churches  separately,  at  the  present  ratio, 
ever  accomplish  this  great  work?  Never,  never.  Must  this  vast  ipass  of ' 
immortal  souls  lie  neglected,  while  habits  are  confirming,  intellect'devel- 
oping.  character  taking  a  settled  and  determined  form,  until  Mr.  (j).  who 
has  but  one  school  in  this  county  comes  forward  to  do  this  great  work.^ 
The  increase  of  population  was  greatly  exceeding  the  in-gathering  of 
the  children,  until  the  existence  of  the  A.  S.  S.  Union.  But  Mr.  O. 
should  know  that  no  church  as  a  church,  is  united  with  this  union;  yet 
some  from  all,  voluntarily,  come  forward  and  help  in  diffusing  light,  ele~ 
rating  character,  and  act  upon  this  heaven-invented  plan. 

In  the  third  place  he  mtroduces  my  name,  and  says  I  made  the  impres- 
sion on  the  public  mind  that  the  Methodist,  Baptist,  and  Epi.scopalian 
churches  were  all  united  in  the  4.  S.  S.  Union.  This  is  the  substance  of 
the  foregoing  article.  I  never  said  so,  I  never  thought  so,  because  I  knew 
•  St  to  be  otherwnse.  I  genernlly  bring  the  Methodist  and  Episcopal  unions 
into  view,  to  shew  what  is  doing  in  the  United  States.  Methodists,  Bap- 
tists, Presbyterians,  and  Episcopalians  are  all  friendly  to  Sunday  Schools, 
but  have  d  fferent  views  in  relation  to  the  same  object.  With  regard  to 
thetwo  gentlemen  who  addressed  the  meeting,  they  Avere  not  deceived; 
they  consider  his  publication  uncalled  for,  they  did  not  authorize  it,  thev 
are'friends  to  the  A.  S.  S.  Union,  and  universal  improvement  of  our  com- 
mon nature.  Society  I  am  sure,  will  give  this  its  proper  weight.  Be- 
hold an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there  is  no  guile  I 


or  PRESB  YTERIAN  IS  M.  53 

In  the  next  place  Mr.  Otey  see^ns  to  aaJjrvalne  every  oa?  uroujul  him; 
tHe  two  speakers,  die  citizens  of  Franklin,  ilie  county  of  Willia,Hion,  and 
tJie  Methodist  clmrchi  only  for  h:m  tiiey  would  l)e  led  astray.  I  woald 
ask  Mr.  O.  did  the  speakers  complain  to  him  that  [  deceived  tnein'  did 
the  citizens  of  Frankhn.  the  subicr.bers,  and  the  Methodist  ciujrcii  ask 
him  to  become  their  guardian,  and  take  tlie.n  un  ler  nis  care"*  I  ansv/er 
no.  The  Methodist  and  Presbyterian  churc;ic;s  dont  want  Mr,  O's.  uiter- 
ference.  They  both,  as  churches,  disapprove  of  his  conduct  in  this  in- 
stance. If  tins  be  true,  as  I  am  prepared  to  prove,  w.iat  becomes  of  his 
veracity  in  the  closing  article,  where  he  says  he  acts  witii  regret,  and  un- 
der a  sense  of  duty  in  relation  to  Sunday  Schools,  and  also  to  the  Citizens 
of  Franklin— ill  effect,  saymg  they  desired  it.  I  unlies.tatingly  say,  that 
in  politics  this  deception  would  rum  the  most  Wily  politician  m  tiie  din  of 
electioneering  strife. 

But  Mr.  O.  states  that  a  part  of  the  money  raised  goes  to  pay  agents' 
salaries;  this  is  unfounded.  I  never  received  a  cent  from  Williamson  coun- 
ty, nor  of  any  money  raised  for  county  depositories.  In  proof,  I  refer  to 
Mr.  Bowls,  Murfreesborough;  Mr.  Atkin,  Siielbyville;  Mr.  Riiea,  Colum- 
bia; Mr.  Maney,  Franklin;  Mr.  Topp,  Lebanon;  the  treasurers  in  their 
respective  counties;  not  one  dollar  is  diverted  from  its  spec. fie  object. 

Mr.  O.  complains  of  his  schools  and  depositories  being  overlooked.  I 
know  of  no  depositories  in  the  state  but  those  attached  to  the  A.  S.  S.  U. 
I  have  travelled  the  state,  and  I  know  of  but  tliree  schools  that  belong  to 
his  union.  As  to  our  books  costing  the  school  double,  as  he  states,  they 
>yill  be  sold  as  low  as  any  other.  I  now  call  upon  M,-.  O  ey  to  sustain  by 
proof  his  false  statements.  How  could  they  be  any  other?  He  wrote 
from  a  conversation  he  heard  on  the  street  as  he  acknowledges. 

I  shall  now  give  an  explanation  of  the  mysterious  conduct  of  the  Rer. 
Gentleman,  and  then  close  with  a  delineation  of  this  wonderful  man  as  he 
stands  before  the  public. 

^  In  company  with  a  mutual  friend  I  waited  on  Mr.  Otev,  and  requested 
him  to  preach  the  anniversary  sermon;  his  reply  was,  he  felt  opposed  to 
tke  A.  S.  S.  U.,  but  coolly  and  explicitly  declared  he  would  not  g.ve  it 
any  opposition,  either  in  public  or  private.  It  would  have  been  well  for 
him  if  he  had  kept  his  promise.  He  stated  that  there  is  Calvmlsm  in  the 
books  of  the  Union.  I  rested  all  the  clams  of  the  insiitut on  on  this 
pomt,  and  requested  him  to  show  it:  he  has  not  done  so. 

In  order  to  conciliate,  I  told  him  his  doctrines,  and  ours  were  nearly 
alike,  and  that  Mr  Wesley  would  not  have  W;thdrawn  from  the  Cluirch  of 
England  only  on  account  of  the  ack  lowledged  v,c;ouiii^si  of  the 
lives  of  the  clergy  of  that  church.  He  denied  that  t!)e  vie  ousness  of  the 
lives  of  the  clergy  invahdated  their  ordination.  Tnis  astonished  mil 
Coming  from  Mr.  Otey,  it  is  a  very  unsafe  sentiment  in  civil  society.  Tins 
is  the  very  foundation  of  popery,— it  m  ght  do  at  Ro  ne,  or  at  tiie  licen- 
tious court  of  Charles  the  H,  but  cannot  do  in  the  mer.dian  of  Franklin, 
or  Nashville.  He  Infomicd  me  that  if  I  could  shew  vice  in  the  lives  of 
the  mimsters,  they  would  be  turned  out.  D.dyou  ever  know  any  turned 
out,  said  I,  on  this  ground?  Hundreds,  said  he.  I  confess  I  did  not  give 
credit  to  his  assertion;  the  evil  is  not  so  extensive.  I  took  it  as  the  state- 
ment  of  bigotry,  rash  and  indiscriminate,  wh  cli  would  even  sink  the  min- 
isters to  raise  the  church.  I  looked  at  him  in  the  rage  of  his  wrath  Lke 
a  wounded  horse  in  battle,  which  is  to  be  feared  in  the  ranks  of  friends 
or  enemies.  He  became  quite  unmeasured  in  dealing  oat  the  epithets  of 
enthusiast,  fanatic,  upon  the  religion  of  some  who  had  sights,  visions,  and 
dreams,  and  gave  the  whole  an  application  to  the  venerable  Wesley*  and 
kis  followers.     Then  drew  from  his  case  McGee  on  the  atonement, 

e2 


54  HELFS    TO  THE    STUDY 

turned  to  the  page  where  he  exhibited  Wesley  in  this  light.  All  this 
was  as  much  candor  as  I  expected,  but  certainly  less  politeness.  This  b 
a  g-ame  the  Church  of  Eng-land  has  been  playing  for  many  years  in  order 
to  draw,  if  possible,  the  Methodists  back  to  her  bosom. 

Southy  wrote  the  life  of  Wesley  for  this  very  end:  he  altered  the  beau- 
tiful proportions  of  his  character,  and  tried  to  unsettle  the  adjustment  of 
those  springs  that  formed  and  moved  it.  Still  he  could  not  conceal  his 
excellence  without  subjecting  himself  to  ridicule.  The  serene  rays  of 
the  diamond  shines  through  the  interposing  incrustations,  almost  too  much 
for  humanity. 

Mr.  Southy  is  the  poet  laureate,  he  has  £300  sterling  per  annum,  and 
a  butt  of  sack  or  wine  for  writing  a  birth-day  ode  for  the  king.  This 
same  McGee  wrote  his  work  on  the  atonement  in  which  he  tries  to 
represent  Wesley  in  the  light  so  much  admired  by  Mr.  Otey.  He  sent  a 
copy  of  the  work  to  the  Queen  of  England,  she  had  him  appointed  to  a 
lining  in  the  city  of  Dublin,  in  Ireland,  worth  I  believe,  |30,000  sterling 
a  year.  Mr.  Otey  is  the  mere  echo  of  the  former  two,  but  he  congratu- 
lates himself  like  the  fly  on  the  chariot  wheel. — O  dear  what  a  dust  I 
raise.  Wesley  burned  with  a  deep,  yet  calm  love  of  moral  grandeur  and 
celestial  purity.  "He  was  a  lion,  an  old  lion  who  dare  rouse  him  up,  but 
when  provoked  he  sprang  from  his  lair,  shook  the  dew  from  his  mane^. 
and  swept  the  groaning  forest." 

"Pygmies  are  pygmies,  still  the'  perched  on  Alps, 
And  pyramids,  are  pyramids,  although  in  vales." 

On  the  day  referred  to,  we  held  the  anniversary  of  the  Williamson 
county  Union.  Mr.  Otey  calls  it  the  celebration  of  Sunday  Schools.  I 
am  surprised  that  he  would  form  such  a  member  of  a  sentence  as  this. 
He  certainly  ought  to  know  the  structure  and  genius  of  the  English  lan- 
guage better.  However,  as  he  says,  the  meeting  was  large,  embracing 
wealth,  intelligence,  and  respectability;  that  it  was  so  large,  and  his  so 
small,  with  the  Bishop  of  North  Carolina,  officiating  at  the  same  hour,  is 
said  to  be  one  item  in  the  sum  of  provocation.  "The  toe  of  the  peasant 
comes  so  near  the  heel  of  the  courtier,  that  he  galls  his  kibe." 

Now  for  Mr.  Otey's. exposure,  as  he  calls  it.,  Andkt  me  ask  what  has 
he  exposed?  Nothing  but  himself.  He  exhibits  as  new,  old,  dry  ^-ecords, 
which  the  A.  S.  S.  Union  had  published  years  ago.  Let  me  here  remark 
that  he  is  what  is  called  high  Church  of  England,  and  pretended  to  a 
divine  right  of  ordination.  This  is  all  popery  asks  to  establish  her  sys- 
tem. If  Mr.  Otey  proves  his  divine  right  of  ordination,  I  say  all  our 
institutions— our  laws  and  constitution,  the  glory  of  our  country— the  ad- 
miration of  the  worjd,  should  all  yield  to  the  divinity  of  his  claims  and 
pretensions.  I  here  in  the  face  of  the  sun  formallyj  solemnly  in  the  fear 
of  God,  enter  my  protest  against  his  pretensions,  to  a  divine  right  of 
ordination,  as  unscriptural  and  dangerous  in  its  tendences.  I  call  for  the 
proof. 

I  stated  in  my  sermon  when  Henry  the  VIU.  threw  off  the  supremacy 
of  the  people,  he  became  the  head  of  the  Church  of  England. 
"This  is  the  head  and  front  of  my  offending." 

Mr.  Otey  has  not  divulged  this;  for  like  the  Spartan  youth,  and  the  fox, 
be  conceals  the  cause  of  his  misery.  This  is  the  cause  of  his  trouble,because 
it  interferes  with  his  clsumto  a  divine  right  of  ordination.  Before  I  enter 
on  the  proof  of  the  King  of  England,  I  will  inform  Mr.  Otey  that  Episco- 
palians are  divided  into  three  classes,  two  of  whom  differ  with  him  on 
divme  right:  that  is  19  are  against  him  where  he  has  but  one  for  him.  I 
shall  here  give  a  list  of  the  most  distinguished  ministers  in  his  own  church 
that  are  opposed  to  him.     Cranmer,  Grindal,  Whitgift,  Bishop  Leighton, 


or   PRESBTTBRIANI8M.  55 

Tillotson,  Bishop  Burnett,  Bishop  Croft,  D.  Stillingfleet,  Bishop  HalU 
Bishop  Dawnham,  Bishop  Bancroft,  Bishop  Andrews,  Arch  Bishop  Usher, 
Bishop  Farbes,  the  learned  Chillingworth,  Arch  Bishop  Wake,  Bishop 
Hoadly.  Though  these  differ  amongst  themselves  they  are  opposed  to 
Mr.  Oley's  creed.     See  Dr.  Miller's  letters  on  the  subject. 

He  considers  all  out  of  his  order  of  divine  ordination  as  aliens  from 
Christ,  out  of  the  appointed  way  to  heaven,  and  have  no  hope  but  the 
uncovenanted  mercy  of  God. 

He  declared  in  Franklin  he  would  suffer  his  hand  to  be  chopped  off 
before  he  could  recognize  any  ministers  as  lawfully  ordained  but  his 
party.  I  would  say  this  amputation  would  disclose  the  nature  of  his 
spirit — not  the  soUdity  of  his  argument.  I  also  inform  him  if  his  intoler- 
ance  does  not  proceed  from  a  defect  in  his  mind  it  will  soon  produce  one. 

In  conversation  with  a  respectable  gentleman  in  this  county,  he  told 
him  they  had  the  keys  of  the  kingdom.  The  document  is  now  in  my 
pocket  to  prove  this.  I  am  sure  an  enlightened  public  will  give  proper 
weight  to  liis  proscriptions  against  us  coming  into  any  towns  of  the  United 
States;  b\itto  keep  on  the  hills  and  in  the  valleys,  because  forsooth  Mr. 
Otey  lives  in  Franklin,  has  a  small  Sunday  School,  and  about  twenty-five 
attached  to  his  church.  Were  the  people  of  the  United  States  left  to  his 
agency,  and  the  operation  of  his  principles,  they  would  soon  become  as 
cold  and  lifeless  as  the  rocks  that  slumber  on  the  bosom  of  the  great  val- 
ley we  inhabit. 

The  Pope  of  Rome  would  not  have  been  more  imperious.  It  seems  as 
if  Mr.  Otey  had  his  eye  on  the  papal  chair  and  the  mitre.  A  divine  right 
of  ordination  first.  Infallibility  is  the  next  link  in  the  chain.  Then 
supremacy — afterwards  the  holy  inquisition;  and  like  the  Albigenses  and 
Waldenses  we  would  not  be  permitted  to  have  the  mountains  and  valleys. 
An  auto-de-fe  would  close  the  scene. 

When  Mr.  Otey  and  Bishop  Ravenscroft  came  to  Nashville,  they  ob- 
tained the  Methodist  church  for  service.  At  the  commune  our  venci-able 
pastor,  brother  Gwin,  went  into  the  altar.  Mr.  Otey  informed  him  it 
would  be  desirable  if  he  would  withdraw,  and  waited  on  him  the  next  day 
to  inform  him  he  did  not  consider  him  an  ordained  minister.  Will  society 
iK)t  look  at  this. 

I  had  said  the  King  became  the  head  of  the  Church  of  England  when 
he  threw  off  the  authority  of  the  people.  Mr.  Otey  denies  it.  Now  for 
the  proof. 

I  simply  refer  to  Humes*  history  of  England,  Vol.  2,  page  291.  *'A 
confession  was  extracted  from  the  clergy,  that  the  king  was  the  protector 
and  supreme  head  of  the  church  and  clergy  of  England,  so  far  as  is  per- 
mitted by  the  law  of  Christ.*'  Again  page  299,  the  Parliament  being 
assembled,  conferred  on  the  king  the  title  of  the  only  supreme  head  on 
earth  of  the  Church  of  England.  These  are  the  words .  I  also  refer  to 
Moshiem's  church  history.  Vol.  3,  page  18.  Soon  after  this  Henry  was 
declared  by  the  Parliament,  and  people,  supreme  head  of  the  Church  of 
England,  and  from  the  reign  of  Henry  the  VIII,  down  to  the  present 
day,  the  King  and  Parliament,  appoint  the  Bishops.  I  now  ask  is  the 
King  not  the  head  of  the  Church  of  England!  Most  assuredly  he  is.  Then 
what  becomes  of  the  divine  right  of  ordination. 

At  a  certain  time,  Mrs.  Clark  had  unbounded  influence  over  the  Duke 
of  York,  for  reasons,  chastity  would  blu.sh  to  name.  Many,  very  many, 
applied  to  her  for  livings  in  the  Church  of  England.  She  received  large 
sums  of  money;  influenced  the  Duke,  he  had  influence  with  the  King,  his 
fatheri  and  Parliament.  Therefore,  by  this  royal  strumpet,  like  Cleo- 
)>atra,  her  elder  sister,  many  were  appointed  to  fat  livings,  produced  by 


5G  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

the  hard  earnings  of  the  poor,  in  the  church  of  Eng-land.  Could  we  be 
so  gross  In  folly;  so  stupid  in  nonsense,  as  to  believe  Mr.  Otey  and  Bishop 
Ives,  that  there  was  a  divine  right  here?  According  to  the  most  philo- 
Hophical  relation  between  cause  and  effect,  where  Mrs.  Claik  gave  the 
first  impulse.  Is  she  not,  therefore,  at  the  head  of  this  disgusting  busi- 
ness'    But  I,  in  mercy  to  human  nature,  draw  a  veil  over  it. 

Mr.  Otey  is  a  graduate  of  Chapel  Hill,  I  learn;  he  is  a  tolerable  teacher; 
his  enimiciation  intolerably  coarse.  There  is  no  exception  to  his  moral 
character;  he  is  a  good  citizen,  but  in  the  absence  of  all  oratory,  he  is  a 
very  rugged  speaker.  I  submit  the  correc'.ness  of  the  sketch  to  a  correct 
taste  and  a  sound  judgment. 

He  ought  not  to  have  published  when  T  was  absent,  in  the  upper  coun- 
ties, for  iie  acknowledges  no  one  complained  to  him.  What,  has  he  done 
nothing?  for  it  is  a  law  in  heaven  and  earth,  that  nothing  can  produce 
Jiothmg,  His  effort,  therefore,  to  extinguish  the  institution  and  injure 
me,  is  as  idle  a  puff  as  the  drone  pipe  of  his  organ,  which  occasioned  a 
tax  on  the  public  of  five  hundred  dollars.  I  write  the  above  not  as  a 
genera!  agent  fcr  Tennessee,  for  the  A.  S.  S.  Union,  but  on  my  own 
responsibility.  They  authorize  no  publications,  but  those  which  proceed 
from  the  publishing  committee.  I  would  recommend  Mr.  Otey  to  study 
(the  fable  of  the  viper  and  file, 

SiMPSox  Shepherd, 

It  will  be  very  obvious  to  every  one  who  will  take  the  trou- 
ble to  read  the  foregoing  letters,  that  Mr.  Shepherd,  artfully 
endeavors  to  evade  the  whole  subject  properly  at  issue,  by 
making  personal  reflections  upon  his  opponent,  and  by  rail- 
ing at  the  Church  of  England;  and  by  saying  much  about 
divine  ordination — divine  right — divine  appointment- 
divine  institution  and  Episcopacy,  old  matters,  about  which, 
the  Methodists  and  Episcopalians  have  differed  for  many 
years. 

This  controversy,  which  in  many  respects,  was  of  a  very 
singular  character,  continued  for  a  number  of  weeks  together, 
through  the  medium  of  the  Western  Weekly  Review,  at 
Franklin,  Tennessee. 

The  controversy,  it  will  be  seen  by  the  reader,  originated 
m  a  public  meeting  called  in  that  town  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Shepherd,  as  aa;ent  for  the  American  Sunday  School  Union, 
for  the  special  benefit  of  that  association  and  of  the  schiools 
connected  with,  and  sustained  by  it.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Otey, 
then  rector  of  the  Episcopal  church  at  Franklin,  but  now 
Bishop  for  the  diocess  of  Tennessee,  believing  that  an  erro- 
neous impression  had,  on  that  occasion,  been  made  on  the 
public  mind,  in  relation  to  the  character  of  the  Institution, 
and  the  relation  which  other  denominations  of  Christians 
mistained  to  it,  published  the  above  article  over  his  proper 
signature,  declaring  that  the  Institution  referred  to  was 
essentially  and  exclusively  Presbyterian,  and  disclaiming 


OF  PRBSBYTERIANISM.  S7 

any  connexion  with  it,  on  the  part  of  the  Episcopal  and 
Methodist  churches.  In  this,  Mr.  Otey  was  substantially 
correct.  To  this  communication,  Mr.  Shepherd  replied  in 
quite  a  tart  and  acrimonious  manner.  A  rejoinder  followed 
on  the  part  of  Mr.  Otey,  in  which  he  replied  with  much 
asperity,  and  the  controversy  widened  into  quite  an  extensive 
field,  embracing  in  its  ran<i;e  some  of  the  most  important 
topics  of  polemic  theology,  and  relating;  especially  to  the 
doctrines,  government,  and  most  prominent  divines  of  the 
Methodist  and  Episcopal  churches,  both  in  Europe  and 
America.  In  this  discussion,  many  severe  things  were  said 
of  Messrs.  Wesley  and  Asbury  of  the  Methodist  church, 
and  of  Bishops  Ravenscroft  and  Ives,  of  the  Episcopal 
church,  all  of  whom,  save  the  latter,  were  then  dead,  and  in 
heaven,  as  I  believe.  In  this,  therefore,  the  gentlemen  were 
both  to  blame,  but  Mr.  Shepherd  more  especially,  for  having 
first  lugged  these  topics  into  the  discussion.  Mr.  Otey  says, 
however,  that  in  consequence  of  the  extraordinary  course 
pursued  by  Mr.  Shepherd,  the  discussion  took  a  range  which 
he  never  expected.  It  is  true,  that  Mr.  Shepherd,  in  the 
foregoing  letter,  as  well  as  in  his  sucf^eeding  numbers,  intro- 
duced a  variety  of  topics  wholly  irrelevent  to  the  question 
properly  between  them,  some  of  which,  Mr.  Otey  may  have 
considered  himself  compelled  to  notice,  in  order  to  vindicate 
his  character,  as  well  as  that  of  his  church;  but  still,  he  should 
have  abided  by  the  old  proverb,  ^'contempt  isthe  best  return 
for  scurrility."  But  no  circumstance  whatever,  could  have 
justified  Mr.  Shepherd,  in  introducing  all  that  heterogeneous 
mass  of  personal  abuse,  ai.d  gr.ive  charges,  which  charac- 
terized most  of  his  letters. 

Finally,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Douglass,  of  the  Methodist  church, 
published  a  lengthy  article  in  defence  of  Wesley  and  Asbury, 
to  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  W^ellen  rector  of  the  Episcopal  church 
in  Nashville,  replied  with  great  asperity.  This  introduc- 
tion of  new  combatants,  led  to  a  still  more  extended  discus- 
sion, until  great  excitement  was  produced  throughout  Middle 
Tennessee.  Iperused  the  whole  controversy, and  with  consider- 
able interest  too,  thv>ugh  I  disapprove  of  the  turn  it  took. 
My  reasons  for  not  pubiishmg  more  of  these  letters  are,  first, 
the  subject  matter  of  them  is  irrelevent  to  my  present  pur- 
poses; and  next,  becauge  they  are  too  lengthy,  filling  from 
two  to  eleven  columns  in  a  large  newspaper!  In  conclusion, 
permit  me  again,  to  put  my  veto  on  Mr.  Shepherd's  course, 
in  that  he,  in  the  progress  of  this  controversy,  brought  into 
view,  other  men  and  circumstances,  with  certificates,  state- 


BS  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

ments,  answers,  replies,  &c.  The  fact  is,  Mr.  Shepherd? 
dreaded  an  investigation  of  the  principles  ot  the  A.  S.  S. 
Union;  and  knowing  as  he  did,  the  Methodists  generally, 
disapproved  of  his  conduct  as  an  agent,  and  wished  Mr.  Otey 
success  in  exposing  this,  his  beloved  Union,  he  very  artfully 
introduced  a  new  and  distinct  subject,  manifestly  with  a  view 
to  induce  other  Methodist  preachers  to  engage  in  the  contro- 
versy. As  to  Mr.  Shepherd  having  made  erroneous  impres- 
sions, on  the  minds  of  the  citizens  of  Franklin,  on  that 
particular  occasion,  it  is  as  evident,  as  that  light  accompanies 
the  rising  of  the  sun.  Whether  he  designed  to  make  such 
impressions  or  not,  I  leave  the  reader,  in  the  exercise  of  that 
charity  which  "hopeth  all  things,"  and  which  "suffereth 
long,  and  is  kind,"  to  determine.  One  thing,  however,  I 
do  know,  that  during  the  sanne  year,  Mr.  Shepherd,  did,  m 
Athens,  Madisonville,  Knoxville,  and  Dandridge,  in  East 
Tennessee,  7nake  the  i77ip7'ession,  on  the  minds  of  many, 
that  the  Methodists,  Baptists,  Presbyterians,  &c,  were 
equally  interested  in,  and  benefited  by  the  Union;  and  many 
respectable  persons  in  each  of  those  places,  will  testify  that 
they  heard  him,  and  so  understood  him.  And  indeed,  in 
most  if  not  all  of  those  towns,  he  was  opposed  and  contra- 
dieted.  And  since  Mr.  Shepherd  has  been  so  faithfully  and 
repeatedly  warned  on  this  subject,  it  is  devoutly  hoped,  that 
in  future,  he  will  not  let  the  zeal  inspired  by  the  eight 
HUNDNED  DOLLARS  he  receives  annually,  as  a  iiiissionary^ 
age7it,  carry  him  to  such  length. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Speeches  of  messrs.  powel  and  burden,  in  the  senate 

OF  the  state  of  PENNSYLVANIA,  ON  THE  APPLICATION 
OF  THE  AMERICAN  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  UNION,  FOR  AN  ACT 
OF  INCORPORATION. 

After  the  reader  shall  have  perused  the  following  highly 
important,  and  every  way  instructive  speeches,  of  these 
honorable  and  talented  gentlemen,  together  with  a  few  con- 
cluding remarks  of  my  own,  he  will  be  fully  prepared,  I 
think,  in  every  material  respect  at  l^ast,  to  form  a  correct 
opinion  with  regard  to  the  American  S.  S.  Union.  The 
bill,  an  act  to  incorporate  the  Trustees  of  the  American  Sun- 


OF  PRESBTTERIANISM.  59 

day  School  Union,  was  under  consideration,  in  committee  of 
the  whole,  Mr.  Herbert  in  the  chain 

**[Mr.  Duncan  having  concluded  his  remarks  msupport  of  the  bill — ] 

Mr.  Powel  addressed  the  chair.  Unhappily,  I  am  constrained  (said  Mr. 
P.)  to  contend  not  only  against  persons  whose  motives  I  cannot  condemn, 
byt  I  am  coerced  to  oppose  my  personal  friends,  in  a  misguided  effort  to 
promote  the  cause  of  religion,  important  alike  to  all  conditions  of  men. 

It  is  not  against  Sabbath  schools,  for  of  them  I  honestly  approve,  nor  is 
it  against  the  patriotic  gentlemen  whose  names  are  embodied  in  your  bill, 
that  I  shall  say  aught  which  even  the  cavils  of  fanaticism  can  condemn. 

If  I  were  to  seek  security  for  good  intentions,  I  should  find  it  in  their 
high  standing  as  individuals,  in  their  good  works  as  members  of  religious 
associations,  wherein  many  of  them  have  been  exalted  by  their  charity 
and  Christian  zeal.  I  trust,  sir,  I  shall  be  defended  from  all  suspicion  of 
hostihty  to  Sunday  School  institutions,  of  desire  to  cast  oblique  censure 
upon  the  parties,  who  by  their  influence  give  countenance,  and  by  their 
purse  afford  aid,  to  the  religious  instruction  of  the  ignorant,  fitting  them 
to  endure  the  sad  trials  of  this  world,  and  preparing  them  for  the  great 
object  of  our  being — happiness  in  that  -which  is  to  come. 

When  I  accuse  their  ageiits  of  machination,  I  do  it  fearlessly.  I  am 
prep#.red  to  establish  that  which  I  utter  by  their  own  language,  by  tracing 
a  systematic  effort  boldly  to  assume  the  despotism  of  ^'dictators,"  daringly 
avowing  their  object — exclusion  from  "all  the  political  power  of  the 
country,"  all  men  whose  consciences  have  been  warped,  whose  charac- 
ters have  not  been  formed,  whose  devotion  has  not  been  secured  by  their 
system  of  education,  their  rites  of  "baptism,"  their  modes  of  worship, 
their  notions  of  the  trinity  and  of  transubstantiation,  promulgated  by 
certain  blind  zealots,  who  would  make  all  men  and  sJl  doctrines  subser- 
vient to  an  established  "orthodox"  creed. 

We  have  had  an  elaborate,  and  eloquent  exposition  of  the  wishes  of  the 
Sunday  School  Union,  an  ingenious  attempt  to  confute  by  anticipation,  all 
which  it  is  supposed  the  opponents  of  the  bill  can  adduce  in  support  of 
tlie  grounds  which  they  have  assumed.  With  great  deference  for  the 
sagacity,  with  the  utmost  respect  for  the  ability  of  the  accomplished  ad- 
vocate of  the  Sunday  School  Union,  I  venture  to  assert  that  he  will  not 
attempt  the  refutation  of  that  which  I  am  about  to  offer,  that  which  they 
bave  written,  that  which  they  have  published,  that  which  they  have  put 
upon  our  desks  to  enable  us  to  measure  the  extent  of  their  usefulness, 
to  decide  upon  the  tendency  of  their  efforts,  the  great  object  of  tlieir 
plans.  He  resolutely  denies  that  one  sentence  can  be  shown,  that  a  sin- 
gle fact  can  be  brought  in  support  of  the  positions  which  he  has  assailed. 
{Here  Mr.  Powel  turned  towards  Mr.  Duncan,  saying]  Permit  roe,  sir,  to 
iisk,  will  you  deny  that  this  substantial  octavo,  entitled  the  ''Sunday 
School  Union  Magazine,"  is  authentic  i  that  this  collection  of  Sunday 
School  documents,  of  Sunday  School  Union  reports,  of  Sunday  School 
precepts,  of  Sunday  School  Union  political  disquisitions  and  plans,  is 
sanctioned  by  the  managers  whose  names  are  paraded  at  length  in  various 
parts  of  the  work?  Can  my  friend  deny  that  it  is  worthy  of  belief,  that  it 
is  a  compilation  of  such  miscellaneous  papers,  of  such  pathetic  addresses, 
and  of  such  documents  as  they  consider  illustrative  of  their  intentions, 
or  conducive  of  their  ends  i"  I  find  in  this  a\  ork,  second  report  "of  the 
American  Sunda  ySchool  Union,  page  93,  May,  1826."  These  institu- 
tions may  terminate  in  an  organized  system  of  mutual  co-operation  be- 
tween ministers  and  private  Christians,   so  that  every  church  shall  be  a 


60  HELPS   TO  THE    STUDY 

disciplined  army;  where  every  one  knows  his  place,  and  where  every  one 
has  a  place  and  a  duty  in  the  grand  onset  against  sin.  *'In  ten  years,  or 
certainly  in  twenty,  the  political  po'ver  of  our  country  would  be  in  the 
bands  of  men  whose  characters  have  been  formed  under  the  influence  of 
Sunday  schools."  And  in  pag-e  5th  of  the  same  work,  "And  the  expe- 
rience of  t^e  civilized  world  demonstrates  that  the  character  of  the  man 
is  built  upon  the  principles  instilled  into  the  mind  of  the  child.  Your 
board  have  felt  desirous  therefore,  not  only  of  furnishing  their  own 
schools  with  suitable  books,  but  of  introducing  such  books  into  schools 
of  a  different  description,  and  of  rendering  them  so  abundant  as  to  force 
out  of  circulation  those  which  tend  to  mislead  the  mind.  They  have  not 
been  backward,  therefore,  to  assume  the  high  responsibility  of  revising 
and  altering  the  books  they  have  published,  wherever  alterations  seem 
necessary.  They  have  chosen  to  do  this,  rather  than  tamely  issue  senti- 
ments which,  in  their  consciences,  they  beheve  to  be  false  or  inconsistent 
with  the  purity  of  divine  truth."  That  this  is  not  a  vain  boast  they  have 
proved  by  their  third  report  of  1827.  On  the  first  page  1  find  [here  Mr. 
Powelread  anotljcrbook  which  had  been  laid  upon  his  desk]  that  '<1,616,- 
796  publicadons  which  added  to  those  issued  by  the  society  in  the  two 
preceding  years,  make  a  grand  total  of  3  741,341  "  Not  satisfied,  sir, 
with  this  vain-glorious  display  in  their  regular  reports,  republished  and 
circulated  in  their  magazines,  they  have  appended  a  catalogue  to  one  ot 
their  works,  wherein  they  have  reiterated  in  stronger  terms,  if  practicable, 
the  great  object  of  their  association.— [Here  Mr.  Powel  again  turning  to 
Mr.  Duncan,  said]  will  the  gentleman  receive  this  as  a  fact*  Will  he  con- 
sider their  own  statenieuts  as  worthy  of  regard'  Or  will  he  contend,  that, 
in  the  assumption  of  the  power  to  alter  books,  to  change  the  ideas  of  the 
author,  they  have  contrived  to  make  their  advocate  consider  them  pos- 
sessed of  authority  to  alter  the  vocabulary  of  the  language  which  we  use. 
If  I  were  to  call  them  dictators,  I  should  be  accused  of  injustice;  yet  they 
say  in  their  catalogue,  "While  the  committee  feel  the  immense  responsi- 
bility which  they  assume  in  becoming  dictators  to  the  consciences  of  thous- 
ands of  immortal  beings  on  the  great  and  all  important  subject  of  the  ivel- 
fare  of  their  souls,  while  they  cbead  the  consequences  of  uttering /o?-gc- 
I'ies,  or  giving  their  sanction  to  the  misrepresentation  of  the  glorious  truths 
of  the  gospel,  they  are  not  backvi'ard  to  become  the  responsible  ar- 
biters in  these  high  points,  rather  than  tamely  issue  sentiments  which,  in 
their  consciences,  they  believed  to  be  false  or  inconsistent  with  the  purity 
of  divine  truth.  They  continue  in  the  same  page  to  assert,  "In  prepar- 
ing works  for  the  press,  the  utmost  libeity  is  used  with  regard  to  whatever 
is  republished  by  them,"  and  "in  changing  even  the  ideas."  They  alter 
the  arrangement,  mutilate  the  work,  and  change  the  ideas,  yet  retain  the 
name  of  the  author,  thus  making  established  names  and  forced  construc- 
tions of  received  doctrines,  subservient  to  their  dictatorial  will. 

We  ar^  told  that  the  managers  did  not  write  the  passage  predicting  that 
political /influence  which  "in  ten  years  is  to  assume  all  the  power  of  the 
country,"  and  in  ten  years  is  to  turn  us  all  out  of  our  seats.  We  are  told 
that  it  was  written  by  a  clergyman.  Is  it  on  that  account  of  less  force '' 
it  has  been  urged  that  it  was  written  by  a  Connecticut  clergyman.-— The 
gentleman  has  oi;borne  to  make  comment  on  this  point.  He  exultingly 
exclaimed  it  was  only  tiie  production  of  a  Sunday  School  teacher.  Would 
he  have  us  inter  that  it  should  therefore  be  rejected  as  futile  and  unworthy 
of  belief?  No,  sir,  he  will  not  venture  to  tell  us  this.  He  has  told  us 
nmch  which  1  did  not  expect  to  hear.  He  has  introduced  an  Episcopal 
bishop  with  some  irrelevant  and  harsh  remaiks,  which  1  shall  pass  by  as 
unworthy  of  my  regard.     I  am  concerned  that  my  friend,  in  his  happy 


OF  raiSSBYTERIAXISM,  61 

vein  of  sarcasm,  has  placed  Dr.  Ely  in  a  ludicrous  light-  "Poor  Dr.  Ely," 
as  he  calls  him:  Heaven  forbid  that  1  should  dare  to  call  him  poor,  or  to 
compare  him  to  "a  scare  crow,"  or  to  "the  pope."  He  has  coupled  him 
with  General  Jackson,  and  attempted  to  excite  the  Jackson  feeling-  in  this 
house.  I  regret  that  he  has  done  so,  although  I  well  know  his  appeal 
will  avail  nought.  I  have  never  seen,  sir,  any  instance,  in  which  that 
feeling  has  been  excited  on  this  floor,  and  I  am  well  assured  it  never  will 
be  exerted,  except  on  fit  occasions,  if  such  can  here  arise  in  relation  to 
the  great  contest  for  political  sway.  I  cannot  conceive  by  what  motive 
he  could  be  impelled  to  introduce  general  Jackson's  name,  unless  it  be 
from  the  connection  in  his  own  mind  with  the  viev/s  of  the  agents  o{  the 
Sunday  School  Union,  and  their  determination  in  "ten  ^r  at  most  twenty" 
years,  to  establish  ecclesiastical  domination,  and  the  union  of  churcli  and 
state.  [Here  Mr.  Powel  read  from  the  3d  report  of  the  Sunday  School 
Union,  May,  1827,  page  17.]  "The  annual  report  of  the  board  of  mana- 
gers was  then  read  by  the  Rev.  Dr:  Ely,  of  the  third  Presbyterian  church, 
by  whom  it  was  written."  I  will  ask  my  colleague  is  not  poor  Dr.  Ely, 
by  this  passage  identified  with  the  Sunday  School  Union  as  the  expounder 
of  their  views,  as  the  writer  of  their  report?  [Here  Mr.  Powel  read  the 
following  extracts  from  Dr.  Ely's  sermon: — ] 

"In  other  words,  our  presidents,  secretaries  of  the  government,  sena- 
tors and  other  representatives  in  Congress,  governors  of  states,  judges, 
state  legislators,  justices  of  the  peace,  and  city  magistrates,  are  just  as 
much  bound  as  any  other  persons  in  the  United  States,  to  be  orthodox  in 
their  faith." 

"Our  rulers,  like  any  other  members  of  the  community,  who  are  under 
law  to  God  as  rational  beings,  and  under  law  to  Christ,  since  they  have 
the  light  of  divine  revelation,  ought  to  search  the  Scriptures,  assent  to 
the  truth,  profess  faith  in  Christ,  keep  the  Sabbath  holy  to  God,  pray  in 
private  and  in  the  domestic  circle,  attend  on  the  public  ministry  of  the 
word,'  be  baptized,  and  celebrate  the  Lord's  supper  **  The  electors  of 
these  five  classes  of  true  Christians  united  in  the  sole  requisition  o^ appar- 
ent friendship  to  Christianity  in  every  candidate  for  office  whom  they  will 
support,  could  govern  every  public  election  in  our  country,  without  infring- 
ing in  the  least  upon  the  charter  of  our  civil  liberties. 

**The  Presbyterians  alone  could  bring  half  a  miUlon  of  electors  into  the 
field. 

**I  propose,  fellow  citizens,  a  new  sort  of  union,  or  if  you  please,  a 
fJhristian  party  in  politics,  which  1  am  exceedingly  desirous  all  good  men 
in  our  country  should  join." 

"I  am  free  to  avow,  that  other  things  being  equal,  I  would  prefer  foi- 
my  chief  magistrate,  and  judge,  and  ruler,  a  sound  Presbyterian.**  It 
will  be  objected  that  my  plan  of  a  truly  Christian  party  in  politics  wilt 
make  hypecrites.     We  are  not  answerable  for  their  hypocrisy  if  it  does." 

We  have  seen,  continued  Mr.  Powel,  that  a  reverend  and  erudite  gen- 
tleman, whose  piety  and  good  works  might  have  been  taken  as  a  guaran- 
tee against  all  danger  of  clerical  violence  or  sectarian  proscription,  has 
boldly  exposed  the  system  of  tactics,  and  designated  the  modes  of  attack 
in  which  even  he,  so  highly  revered,  so  implicitly  obeyed,  would  employ 
the  ^'disciplined  army  where  every  one  has  a  place,  where  every  one 
knows  his  place,"  to  exclude  from  "all  the  political  power  of  our  coun- 
try," all  men  whose  characters  have  not  been  formed  by  Sunday  Schools. 
If  this  gentleman,  justly  elevated  by  talents,  so  highly  embellished  by 
learning,  and  so  much  distinguished  by  religious  sway,  be  so  zealous  as 
to  consider  ecclesiastical  domination  the  dear  object  of  his  career,  what 
may  we  not  suspect,  what  ought  we  not  to  expect  from  ignorant  and  bigot- 
P 


63  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

ted  satellites,  radiating  light  and  heat  from  a  grand  luminary,  a  "retrospec- 
tive theologian,"  a  Michavelian  politician,  soaring  in  regions  of  visionary 
philosophy,  calling  on  half  a  million  of  followers,  to  rally  for  the  exclu- 
sion of  all  men  who  are  not  <*orthodox*'  from  the  polls. 

This  reverend  and  meek  Christian,  we  have  seen,  is  not  merely  the  asso- 
ciate of  the  Sunday  Shod  Union — he  is  their  organ — the  person  selected 
to  compile-  their  report — to  read  their  report;  and  I  have  their  own  au- 
thority, to  write  their  report;  thus  made  the  guide  of  the  vast  machine, 
prepared  to  '■'force  out  of  circulation'^  all  works  which  they  do  not 
approve — to  force  upon  ^'schoola  of  a  different  descriptio7iy"  books  which 
they  have  mutilated,  still  sanctioned  by  the  authority  of  the  original 
author's  names,  although  perverted  and  adapted  to  the  taste  of  those 
who  are  to  be  trained  as  implicit  believers  in  that  which  the  Christian 
pastor  happens  to  deem  the  orthodox  faith. 

That  the  managers  of  the  Sunday  School  Union  are  full,  well  impressed 
with  the  danger  of  clerical  interference,  is  sufficiently  manifest  from  the 
clause  in  their  constitution,  which  admits  but  laymen  as  members  of  their 
board,  and  that  they  apprehend  the  force  of  the  arguments  which  such 
mterference  would  inevitably  add^uce  in  opposition  to  their  prayer  for  a 
charter,  is  evident  from  the  fact,  that  they  have  told  you,  that  all  but 
laymen  are  excluded  from  their  board..  But  it  happens  that  notwithstand- 
ing the  resolution  they  have  evinced,  the  acumen  they  have  displayed, 
the  sagacity  and  determination  with  which  all  these  movements  are  fraught, 
they  have  been  seduced  from  their  purpose  by  that  good  feeling — that 
Christian  acquiescence,  that  high  degree  of  humility  which  rehgion  im- 
poses, and  which  her  pastors  can  adroitly  turn  to  any  end  which  they  deem 
good. 

They  have  assured  us  that  all  men  and  all  children,  and  all  denomina- 
tions are  alike  objects  of  their  fostering  care,  and  that  no  religious  creed — 
no  sectarian  feeling,  no  desire  but  that  of  doing  good,  can  operate  upon 
their  minds.  I  believe  them,  they  are  incapable  of  falsehood,  it  is  not 
possible  to  make  them  designedly  do  wrong,  I  repeat,  it  is  not  of  them  T 
have  feai',  nor  is  it  of  men  remarkable  as  the  reverend  pastor,  that  I  have 
dread:  for  I  am  assured  that  he  is  stimulated  by  an  honest  desire,  to  make 
all  men  Christians  after  his  own  fashion — to  make  them  all  happy  in  his 
own  way — to  make  them  all  orthodox  in  his  own  faith;  he  has  told  us  this, 
and  he  has  told  us  the  truth.  Nor  have  I  objection  to  the  denomination 
of  Christians  whom  he  would  lead.  I  am  not  one  of  those  who  would 
denounce  them  as  sectarians — who  are  disposed  to  deny  to  them  the  full 
measure  of  good  intentions  and  good  works.  I  am  satisfied,  sir,  there  are 
no  Christians  whose  usefulness  here,  whose  prospects  of  eternal  bhss 
hereafter,  are  better  established  than  those  of  that  portion  of  the  commu- 
nity distinguished  by  their  name.  Far  be  it  from  me  to  entertain  doubt, 
or  tacitly  to  submit  to  insinuation  which  could  cast  aspersion  upon  them. 
I  have,  sir,  resisted  upon  this  floor,  what  I  conceived  to  be  an  attack  upon 
the  trustees  and  professors  of  a  neighboring  college,  because  accidental 
association,  and  the  unalterable  affinity  of  juxta  position,  had  not  failed  to 
operate  upon  these  Presbyterians,  as  it  must  do,  ever  has  done,  and 
always  will  do  upon  all  men,  whether  high  churchmen,  Mohammedans  or 
Jews. 

It  is  to  the  casuistical  workings  of  priestcraft — the  ceaseless  efforts  of 
misguided  men,  whose  brains  inflamed  by  any  passion,  would  make  tliem 
humble  and  wiUing  tools,  prepared  either  to  act  as  decorated  pageants  in 
the  grand  army,  as  it  is  called,  in  a  crusade  for  political  power,  or  to  sub- 
mit as  ejaculating  martyrs  at  the  stake,  to  witisfy  the  venge?ince  of  religious 
bigotry  and  mad  zeal.     This  is  strong  language,  but  sir,  have  we  not 


OF  PBESBYTEBIANISM.  63 

been  told  that  "all  the  political  power  in  the  country  within  ten  or  twenty- 
years  shall  be  in  the  hands  of  persons  whose  characters  have  been  formed 
at  Sunday  Schools" — ^formed  under  the  direction  of  those  who  can  force 
out  of  circulation  that  of  which  they  do  not  approve — of  those  wlio  boldly 
assert  that  they  will  force  into  use  that  which  they  have  mutilated,  and 
have  adapted  to  their  own  ends — of  those  who  daring-ly  declare  that  they 
are  dictators  to  the  consciences  of  thousands  of  immortal  beings — of  those 
Avhose  organ  utters  anathemas  from  the  house  of  God,  calling  on  his  fol- 
lowers to  form  a  "Christian  party  in  politics,'*  to  be  supported  by  half  a 
million  of  followers — to  establish  ecclesiastical  domination — the  rites  of 
baptism — the  orthodox  faith  throughout  the  land. 

Such  consequences  are  not  to  be  apprehended  within  our  day,  but  they 
are  to  be  apprehended,  if  we  believe  the  predictions  of  the  pious  gentle- 
man, and  if  we  regard  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  asking  a  charter,  and 
the  bill  which  they  have  prepared  for  our  file,  authorizing  them  *«for 
ever  hereafter  to  hold  all  and  all  manner  of  lands,  tenements  and  heredita- 
ments," without  limitation  of  time  or  capital,  but  merely  acquiescing  in 
tlie  limitation  of  monied  income,  not  to  exceed  ten  thousand  dollars  per 
year. 

IVe  are  told  that  no  sectarian  feeling  can  operate  in  the  board  of  mana- 
gers— that  all  persons  may  become  contributors — may  be  made  voters, 
and  that  no  man  is  disqualified  by  his  religious  sentiments  from  participa- 
tion in  their  concerns.  Let  it  be  admitted  that  there  is  no  test  at  this  time 
in  force.  But  has  not  their  reporter — the  accomplished  and  frank  expoun- 
der of  their  views,  the  reverend  gentleman  told  us,  from  the  pulpit,  in 
the  house  of  God,  that  he  would  marshal  his  forces, — that  he  would  call 
on  half  a  million  of  followers  to  proscribe,  exclude  from  the  highest  to 
the  lowest  civil  offices  those  who  had  not  been  "baptized" — who  are  not 
orthodox  in  their  faith — "those  who  are  not  Presbyterians."  Can  it  be 
helieved  that  this  gentleman  whose  character  stands  so  deservedly  high 
for  steadiness  of  purpose,  would  say  that  which  he  did  not  mean  to  be  seri- 
ously received,  or  that  having  said  it,  he  would  not  act  upon  it,  or  that  he 
acting  upon  it  would  disregard  the  means  which  we  have  been  told  would  in 
ten  years  give  effect  to  the  great  end!'  Would  he  not  in  his  pious  endeavors 
to  (Jo  that  which  he  conscientiously  thinks  right,  forbear  to  apply  his  elo- 
quence? Would  he  not  marshal  his  forces  to  exclude  from  the  list  of 
agents,  if  not  from  the  board  of  managers,  all  those  whose  creeds,  whose 
purposes,  and  whose  objects  are  not  consistent  with  his  own?  But,  sir, 
how  is  the  facts?  A  reverend  gentleman  has  already  been  employed  with 
a  large  salary  to  take  the  field,"  a  missionary  fund  has  been  established, 
collected  from  the  auxiliary  schools  connected  with  the  vast  machine. 

A  grand  sjstem  of  proselytism  has  been  formed,  rules  are  given  for  the 
modes  of  attack  upon  the  old  and  young — "The  hour  of  affliction,  the 
moments  of  despair,"  are  pointed  out  as  fit  occasions  to  grasp  the  victims 
of  sectarian  zeal. 

I  must  again  absolve  the  gentleman  at  the  head  of  this  institution;  and» 
sir,  most  emphatically  do  I  except  those  whose  names  ar6  embodied  in 
your  bill  with  their  consent,  and  those  whose  names  are  so  embodied  with- 
out their  consent^  and  those  who  have  contributed  by  their  money  and  their 
countenance,  to  objects  of  the  Sunday  School  Union,  from  all  grounds  of 
accusation — from  all  suspicion  of  aught  unjust  or  unfair. 

I  shall  be  forgiven,  I  irust,  by  them,  if  in  obedience  to  my  oath  to  de- 
fend the  constitution,  I  oppose  a  deliberate  plan  to  exclude  in  ten  or  twenty 
years,  any  set  of  men  whether  educated  or  uneducated,  whether  "ortho- 
idoi"  or  heterodox  from  the  politcal  power  of  the  country:  a  plan  avowed- 


•04  HELPS   TO   THE   STUDX 

ly  to  operate  in  destroying  the  freedom  of  the  press — ^in  fact  to  estabKsb 
ecclesiastical  domination  throughout  the  land. 

Mr.  Powel  remarked  that  he  should  notice  the  defects  of  the  bill,  when 
it  came  under  a  second  reading. 

Speech  of  Mr.  Burden^  in  the  Senate  of  Pennsylvania^  on  the  bill  to  incor- 
porate the  Trustees  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union. 

Mr.  Burden  said  that  he  was  opposed  to  the  bill,  becanse  it  would  cre- 
ate a  monopoly  in  trade.  There  was  one  class  of  citizens  that  had  been 
too  much  neglected  by  legislatures,  he  alluded  to  the  working  class^  the 
bone,  the  sinew,  ave  the  marrow  of  the  community,  the  foundation  of 
■Wealth  andprospemy — a  class  pre-eminent  in  the  annals  of  freedom  in  all 
ages.  He  said,  that  though  there  was  no  law  on  the  statute  book  against 
this  class,  yet  the  courts  had  the  power,  by  the  common  law,  (a  creature 
generated  in  the  morasses  in  the  days  of  barbarism,)  to  imprison  working 
men  for  associating  to  regulate  their  wages.  He  said  that  he  would  watch 
over  the  interests  of  these  men.  From  this  class  he  sprung,  and  he  was 
not  prepared  to  pass  a  law  which  would  injure  them.  True,  a  few  book- 
sellers, wealthy  booksellers,  had  recommended  the  incorporation,  but 
where  sltb  the  printers  and  the  book  binders?  Why  have  they  not  put  their 
names  to  the  petition?  Book  sellers  might  not  for  many  years  feel  the 
injury,  but  the  printers  of  small  capital  would  find  it  difficult  to  compete 
with  an  institution  of  immense  capital  derived  from  gratuitous  subscrip- 
tion, and  having  the  power,  as  it  professes  the  design  of  driving  out  of 
circulation  all  school  books  by  the  cheapness  of  its  own  pubhcations. 
The  enterprize  of  individuals  would  be  paralyzed,  and  the  market  would 
be  in  the  hands  of  the  Union. 

To  be  sure  the  book  trade  only  will  or  can  be  affected.  But  where 
are  you  to  stop?  "What  right  have  you  to  single  it  out'  He  cared  not 
whether  the  wedge  were  gold  or  iron,  he  never  would  give  his  sanction 
to  its  embrace.  What  do  they  want  with  an  act  of  incorporation?  Cannot 
schools  be  taught  without  charters? 

What  necessity  exists  for  granting  a  charter  to  the  Union?  In  three 
years  it  has  issued  from  its  press  upwards  of  three  millions  of  publications, 
it  has  prpspered  beyond  the  prophecies  of  men  and  the  warmest  antici- 
pations of  its  promoters.  Its  managers  tell  you  in  their  report,  that  if  it 
continues  to  increase  as  it  has  done  during  the  last  year,  it  will  overspread 
the  land.  Why,  then,  after  a  system  of  individual  liability  which  has 
been  attended  with  .such  prosperous  results,  why  enable  it  to  acquire  a 
credit  without  a  responsibility,  that  it  may  become  a  monopoly? 

Much  h.as  been  said  about  the  sectarianism  incident  to  this  institution. 
Tor  his  part,  he  would  not  lift  his  finger  towards  heaven,  to  change  the 
religious  belief  of  any  man  in  Christendom:  to  make  a  Baptist,  an  Epis- 
copalian,  or  any  thing  else.  He  thought  the  multipheity  of  sects  advan- 
tageous to  the  country;— It  tended  to  preserve  our  civil  and  religious 
liberties,  and  each  sect  watched  the  other,  and  thus  conduced  to  morality. 

The  gentleman  from  the  city  (Mr.  Duncan)  had  been  much  frightened 
by  the  scarecrow,  as  he  termed  it,  (i.  e.,  a  printed  letter  of  quotations 
from  the  Sunday  School  reports,  and  Dr.  Ely's  sermon.)  He  thought 
the  gentleman  should  have  been  thankful  for  it  to  them  who  sent  it 
here,  for  it  had  afforded  him  a  text  for  his  speech. 

Let  us  look,  for  a  few  moments,  at  what  the  report  says.  In  the  body 
of  the  report  of  1825,  and  attached  to  the  catalogue  are  the  following: 
» 'While  the  committee  feel  the  immense  responsibility  which  they  assume, 
in  becoming  dictators  to  the  conscience  of  thousands  of  immortal  beings  on 
the  great  and  all  important  subject  of  the  welfare  of  their  soulsj  while 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  65 

they  dread  the  consequences  oi  uttering  forgeries,  or  giving  /^en- sanction, 
to  misrepresentations  of  the  glorious  truths  of  the  gospel,  Me_y  are  not  back- 
ward to  become  the  responsible  arbiters  in  these  liigh  points,  rather  than 
tamely  issue  sentiments  which,  in  their  consciences,  they  believe  to  be 
ialse,  or  inconsistent  with  the  purity  of  divine  truth,  however  recom- 
mended by  the  means  of  the  illustrious  saiiits,  or  the  sanction  of  the  most 
e-vangelical and  benevolent  societies."  Pretty  high  grounds!  great  assump- 
tion, no  doubt!  But  the  city  gentleman  explains  all  a-lvay.  "They  were 
unguarded  ex])ressions,"  he  is  pleased  to  assure  us.  They  were  either 
unguarded,  or  they  were  designed.  He  may  take  one  view  or  the  oth^, 
for  they  ai'e  at  his  service.  If  the  first  be  the  case,  are  we  to  trust  men  to 
keep  our  consciences,  who  write  so  unguardedly?  And  if  the  second,  I 
tiiink  It  is  liigh  time  to  relieve  the  committee  of  such  high  responsibility. 

I  (said  Mr.  B.)  have  heard  much  of  the  infallibility  of  the  pope,  (he 
meant  no  disrespect  to  him,  nor  to  any  other  dignitary  of  the  church,) 
hut  it  vs-as  a  new  thing  for  men  to  bow  to  the  decrees  of  a  tribunal  made 
xip  of  beings  acknowledged  to  be  as  fallible  as  themselves. 

The  committee  of  publication  from  which  emanated  these  expressions, 
is  made  up — of  whomi*  Not  the  reverend  clergy,  whose  education  and 
calHng,  one  w^ould  suppose,  qualified  them  to  judge  of  matters  of  faith; 
not  of  these,  but  oi  Jive  laymen  m  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  What  a 
court  of  conscience!  Are  these  laymen  more  pious  than  the  clergy?  Are 
they  more  conversant  with  what  constitutes  the  purity  of  divine  truth  ^ 
Are  they  more  free  from  sectarianism?  Do  they  tell  us  why  are  they 
preferred? 

Mr.  Burden  continued.  He  had  no  doubt  but  the  gentlemen  were 
liighiy  respectable  and  good  members  of  society.  But  he  did  not  con- 
sider on  that  account  they  were  competent  judges,  and  should  have  the 
immense  power  placed  in  their  hands  to  alter  any  school  book  to  suit  their 
tenets,  and  to  drive  out  of  circulation  all  books  which  did  not  come  up  to 
their  mark.  Let  us  dissect  this  a  little  closer.  This  committee  consists 
of  five,  a-  quorum  of  which,  three,  is  to  pass  on  all  publications  whatever, 
which  issue  from  their  press.  To  guard  against  sectarianism,  three  dif- 
ferent sects  must  be  represented  in  this  committee.  He  would  ask,  was 
this  a  sufficient  guard  ?  Are  there  not  persons  of  different  denominations 
whose  creeds  are  virtually  the  same?  He  could  make  out  a  committee  of 
Calvinists  or  of  Arminians,  and  not  infringe  on  the  letter  of  the  con- 
stitution,- and  he  had  read  sufficient  law  reports  to  know  the  glorious 
uncertainties  of  judicial  decisions. 

He  was  not  prepared  to  give  any  men  the  authority  to  dictate  to  con- 
science. The  great  author  of  conscience,  had  established  it  the  strong- 
est tie  between  man  and  his  Maker;  he  had  never  interfered  with  it, 
and  he  knew  of  no  human  tribunal  qualified  or  entitled  to  do  it,  much 
less  that  a  committee  of  five  men,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  should 
have  the  great  responsibility  over  the  rising  generation  of  the  United 
States. 

He  said  he  agreed  with  the  gentleman  who  advocated  the  bill,  that  it 
was  the  duty  of  the  legislature  to  promote  education.  He  was  disposed 
to  go  all  reasonable  lengths — he  looked  on  the  youth  as  the  property  of 
the  nation — he  was  willing  to  vote  for  general  education  at  the  public  ex- 
pense, not  for  colleges  whicii  are  for  the  rich,  but  for  common  schools, 
where  aristocratic  dirtinctions  would  be  broken  down;  but  he  was  not  in 
favor  of  throwing  the  children,  on  whom  the  future  prospects  of  the 
country  would  depend,  and  to  whom  the  charter  of  our  liberties  would  be 
committed,  as  pensioners  on  the  bounty  of  any  men;  he  was  not  disposed 
to  commit  their  consciences  to  the  keeping  of  any  committee,  who  might, 

f2 


56  HEIPS   TO  THE    STUDY 

b/  ^'ungaai'ded  expressions,"  obtain  an  undue  authority  over  their  minds. 

-rhe  Union  has  told  you,  that  in  ten,  or  at  farthest  twenty  years,  all 
the  political  power  of  the  country  will  be  xn  the  hands  of  those  who  have 
been  educated  in  the  principles  of  Sunday  Schools,  ^^^^t  ^i-om  them  .^^^^^^^ 
be  taken  our  future  legislatures.  &c.  &c.     W  ill  our  youth  be  taught  this : 

It  is  thought  that  a  union  of  church  and  state  can  never  be  effected  n.. 
this  country;  that  the  idea  of  such  a  thing  is  visionary;  perhaps  it  is  but 
still  there  can  be  no  harm  in  guarding  against  it.  1  he  evils  of  ecclesias-- 
t  ial  powe--  originated  from  small  beginnings  When  the  ceremony  of 
marriage  became  a  sacred  ordinance  of  the  church,  who  anticipated  any 
danger  ^  and  vet,  loofc  at  the  consequences  which  followed,  from  the 
.ubtletv  of  the  clergy.  They  became  the  tribunals  in  cases  of  divorce, 
l.^itim'acy,  wills,  and  testaments;  they  gradually  interwove  their  influ- 
ercc  in  all  the  relations  of  life;  their  power  was  felt  from  the  fireside  to 
the  throne;  princes  were  deposed  and  crowned  at  their  pleasure;  and 
clerical  oppression  gave  rise  to  the  most  tremendous  revolutions  that  have 
e  er  naXdthe  aunals  of  the  worid.  Man  is  the  same  being  every 
where,  and  is  not  at  this  period  sufficiently  enlightened  to  be  incapable  of 

ommitUng  the  same  errors  as  his  ancestors  did.  To  guard^  against 
ecrsfatlLl  power  in  this  country,  we  should  watch  our  -  !ff-- and 
civil  freedom  with  a  jealous  eye.  We  know,  that  at  one  period  of  oui 
Ssorv  within  the  mtmorv  of  man,  that  in  some  of  our  states  a  scheme 
wa  fomed  to  give  certain  privileges  to  the  clergy;  it  only  failed  from  a 
pecuCcombinationofpoliticalcircumstai^  ^^^  ^'"  ^^  ^Xoi' of\ 
ftt  still  burning:-pablications  are  spreading  every  where  m  favor  of  a 
re  yousp^^^^^^^  Be^echer's  work,  which  was  put  in  my  hands  a  few  days 
;gof  laud?  the  British  people,  because  public  «Fn^«"  ^  ^°"^^,^,t^^,>^.  ^'^ 
btvonet;  and  it  ascribes  all  the  immorahty  and  irrehgion  of  the  United 

Wes  to  the  fact,  that  men  who  have  no  right  m  the  soil,  and  who  have 
no  capi  al  a  stak^,  enjoy  the  right  of  suffrage;  and  that  public  men  fear 
to  be  a  tenor  to  evil  doers,  lest  the  universal  suffrage  of  the  people  should 

'^^^I^^t:'^  city,  (M.  Powel,)has  read  to  you,  and  com. 
T^ented^ on  tie  sermon  of  Dr.*  Ely.  That  discourse  deserves  sorne  con- 
^deration,  as  the  reverend  gentleman  is  known  as  an  active  promoter  and 
i4norter  of  the  Union;  and  his  sentiments  taken  in  connexion  with  the 
Im>4s  ons  found  in  the  Sunday  School  Magazme,  are  sufficient  to  put  us 


H^d  our  fathers  acted  on  such  principles  as  are  mcu  cated  m  these 
pubUcatAons,  the  usefulness  of  such  men  asFrankhn  ^nd  Jefferson  woti^d 
iiave  been  lost,  for  they  were  not  communicants,  nor  what  is  called  Y>ro- 

'"t^^erevj  political  station  the  men  who  are  not  professors, 
^  J^vnn  lose  many  who  would  be  a  glory  and  an  honor  to  your  country. 
-LsS  irLnnb^tLto  pious  men,  but  he  disliked  that  system 
vHch;ould  class  as  irreligious  and  wicked,  all  who  do  not  pray  m  the 
maiket  p^^^^  be  seen  of  men.  Who,  when  fire  assails  your  dwell- 
ntlr7sh?o  save  your  property  or  lives^  Who,  when  the  pestilence 
^SLS rough y Jur  dties,^^^^^^^  their  lives  for  the  comfort  of  the  wretched^ 
A^o  when^olr  country  is  invaded,  hasten  to  the  battle  field  m  defence 
of  your  liberties,  or  cover  themselves  with  glory  on  the  oce^'  ^  ^^e  men 
stigmatized  by  certain  writers  as  the  irrehgious  and  wicked  because  they 
practice  much  and  profess  little. 

But  we  are  called  upon  to  aid  religion.  It  wants  no  aid-  When  the 
somemrcreator  was  pleased,  in  the  chain  of  beings,  to  call  into  existence 
SXk  i  man,  he  gave  him  a  portion  of  light  suitable  to  his  capacity; 


OV  PRBSBYTERIANISM. 


67 


it  differed  in  decree,  but  was  the  same  light;  and  you   might  as  well 
attempt  to  make  men  with  their  natural  eyes,  seethe  same  objects,  at  the 
same  distances,  and  with  similar  appearances  as  endeavor  to  enforce  the 
^me  belief.     Religion  wants  not  the  aid  of  law.     The  grea    founder  of 
Christianity  asked  Sot  the  support  of  government,  for  -his  kmgdom  was. 
not  of  this  world."    He  asked  not  for  titles  nor  powers,  for  the  essence  of 
his  doctrine  was  humility-he  required  but  a  reasonable  service,  and  he 
addressed  the  understanding.     So  long  as  his  followers  followed  m  his 
steps  religion  was  spotless  as  the  snow,  and  the  messenger  of  peace  and 
Mnn  ness  to  the  human  race .     With  no  assistance  but  its  truth,  the  angel 
onCreliglon  winged  its  way,  amid  the  blaze  of  worldly  science  with  an 
eve  That  never  winked,  and  a  wing  that  never  tired;  and  dispelhng  the 
terrors  of  the  human  mind,  its  first  message  was  /car  7iot,  for  1  bring  you 
elad  tidings.     But  when  it  became  connected  with  government,  an  adul- 
t^ery  was  committed,  the  offspring  of  which  destroys  religion  and  free- 
dom       After  this  we  see  the  Catholic  imbuing  his  hands  in  the  blooci  of 
the  Protestant,  and  when  the  latter  had  power,   the   atmosphere  blazed 
with  fires,  and  the  stakes  were  crowded  with  victims,     bven  in  this 
countrv,  when  the  Protestants  could  find  no  Catholics  to  exterminate, 
the  meek  and  unoffending  Quaker  was  brought  to  the  gallows. 

Look  at  those  countries  where  there  exists  a  umon  of  church  and  state, 
and  compare  them  with  this  country.  What  renders  our  clergy  so  hig^i- 
]y  respectable,  so  superior  to  the  same  class  m  Europe?^  Because  there 
is  no  government  support;  because  ministers  are  mamtained  by  the  volun- 
tary contributions  of  their  congregations.  So  long  as  this  system  is  con- 
tinued, you  may  expect  to  have  a  pious  and  useful  clergy.  Crea  e  a  law 
church,  and  your  pulpits  will  be  filled  by  the  vicious,  the  worthless  and 

''T^ause'^therefore,  before  you  incorporate  this  Union.  Recollect  a  cor- 
poration'livesfor  ever;  and  however  highly  you  may  esteem  the  present 
conductors,  you  cannot  prophecy  who  may  succeed  them  Remember 
it  is  not  adult  age  which  is  to  be  managed  by  this  ''powerful  engme."  but 

'^' A  wi^'se^Providencehad  so  constructed  our  nature,  that  first  impressions 
remain  through  life,  and  leave  us  only  at  the  threshhold  of  etermty.  The 
mindissaidto  be  like  a  sheet  of  blank  paper:  it  may  vary  m  color  and 
porosity,  but  still  it  will  receive  any  impression.  The  prejudices  ot  m- 
fancy  lead  the  poor  Hindoo  to  destroy  himself  under  the  wheels  of  Jugger- 
naut's chariot.  They  lead  the  tender  mother  to  cast  her  loved  child  from 
the  nourishing  bosom  to  the  jaws  of  the  devouring  crocodile,  to  appease 
the  vengeance  of  an  idol  god.  They  lead  you  to  feel  the  influence  of  nur- 
serv  tal?s  lonff  afler  your  reason  has  convinced  you  that  apparitions  do  not 
exist  And  if  the  mind  can  thus  be  turned  back  on  the  current  of  nature, 
will  it  be  difficult,  in  this  country,  to  teach  children  that  none  but  ortho- 
'  dox  professors  are  fit  for  public  stations,  as  Dr.  Ely  has  said. 

True,  we  have  a  constitution;  but  the  majority  can  alter  it.  And  are 
we  not  old  thata  religious  party  can  got'cmMe/^o/k?  But  admit  the  letter 
of  the  constitution  should  remain  unchanged,  cannot  the  common  law 
afford  sufficient  pretexts  to  worm  around  it?  Read  the  law  reports  of  this 
state,  and  think  as  you  please. 

We  are  told  that  education  and  bigotry  can  never  exist  in  the  same 
soil.  What  say  you  of  the  Jesuits?  They  promoted  learmng:  it  was  the 
lever  of  their  power.  They  were  the  teachers  of  princes  and  people, 
and  gained  such  an  ascendancy  over  the  mind,  by  presiding  over  educa- 
tion, that  nothing  but  a  providential  interposition  prevented  them  f^om 
putting  civil  and  religious  freedom  into  a  common  grave. 


68  HEIiPSTOTHESTUDY 

The  teachers  in  Sunday  Schools  are  directed  to  adopt  the  same  kind  of 
system  as  the  Jesuits  used,  so  far  as  this,  that  they  are  to  report  the  pecu-' 
liar  bias  of  mind,  circumstances,  ag-e,  disposition,  and  character  of  the 
scholar,  to  make  their  impressions  in  times  of  prosperity,  and  in  seasons 
of  affliction.  The  teacliers,  amounting-  to  upwards  of  24,000,  in  the 
United  States,  will  have  facilities  of  corresponding-,  and  promptitude  of 
action,  equal  for  any  emergency?  they  will  truly  be  a  "disciplined  army, 
where  every  one  knows  and  has  his  place." 

He  begged  it  to  be  clearly  understood,  that  he  did  not  mean  to  impute 
such  desig-ns  to  the  present  managers i  on  the  contrary,  he  believed  they 
were  high  minded,  patriotic,  and  honorable  men;  but  a  corporation  exists 
for  ever,  and  it  was  our  duty  to  be  watchful.  It  had  been  said,  that  such 
things  would  never  take  place  in  our  time,  and  he  believed  it,  but  if  there 
was  to  be  trouble,  let  us  have  it.  Our  fathers  met  trials  for  us,  and  it  is 
our  duty  to  hand  down  the  charter  of  our  liberties,  which  they  committed 
to  us,  without  a  blot  to  posterity. 

As  to  the  limitation  of  the  act  of  incorporation  to  five  years,  he  had  no 
faith  in  it.  Let  the  Union  be  incorporated  five  years,  and  few  will  be 
found  daring  enough  to  oppose  it;  a  mammoth  monied  monopoly  is  not 
easily  assailed;  and  he  who  would  open  his  mouth  against  one  which  was 
clothed  with  what  is  called  rehgion,  would  be  held  up  to  society  as  an  in- 
fidel. If  a  public  man,  his  political  life  would  terminate.  Already  sucli 
is  the  dread  of  the  Union,  that  the  printer  of  the  remonstrances  was  afraid 
his  name  should  be  exposed,  (as  Mr.  B.  was  informed  by  letter,  from  a 
respectable  citizen. )  And  incorporate  the  Union  for  five  years,  audit 
will  be  re-chartered  without  difficulty. 

He  said,  that  when  he  first  occupied  a  seat  in  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives, he  was  in  favor  of  the  incorporation,  and  had  intended  to  advo- 
cate it;  but  that  fortunately  one  of  their  reports  reached  him,  and  he  be- 
came convinced  it  was  his  duty  to  oppose  it;  he  had  no  doubt,  that  many 
who  signed  the  petitions,  were  under  the  mistake  which  he  at  first  labor- 
ed under;  he  had  seen,  with  pleasure,  many  signatures  on  the  remon- 
strances, which  had  been  placed  without  proper  consideration  on  the  pe- 
titions, and  some  of  these  were  the  names  of  men  high  in  society. 

He  had  ascertained,  that  the  respectable  sect,  the  Methodists,  who  had 
been  the  pioneers  of  Christianity  on  our  frontiers,  and  who  had  been  in- 
strumental, in  a  great  degree  in  moralizing  society,  were  not  in  fiivor  of 
the  Union;  that  they  disliked  national  societies  for  religious  purposes; 
that  they  had  said  to  the  public,  *'we  are  not  partial  to  national  combina- 
tions of  an  ecclesiastical  character;  they  are  to  us  like  the  armour  of 
Saul  buckled  on  David;  they  do  not  fit  us."  These  people  were  con- 
tented with  the  prosperity  and  encouragement  which  God  had  given  them, 
and  they  wished  no  government  aid  to  religion.  Other  respectable  and 
numerous  sects  are  of  the  same  opinion,  and  they  are  right. 

He  said,  that  as  the  subject  had  been  handled  with  great  ability  by  the 
gentleman  who  preceded  him,  (Mr.  Povvel,)  and  as  the  time  of  the  com- 
mittee had  been  occupied,  he  would  content  himself,  for  the  present,  with 
recapitulating  his  objections  in  a  few  words — he  would  oppose  the  bill, 
because  he  thought  it  improper  to  legislate  over  territory  beyond  the  ju- 
risdiction of  the  state;  because  the  interest  of  the  working  classes,  and 
the  community  at  large,  were  liable  to  injury  from  the  creation  of  mo- 
nopolizing trading  companies;  and  because  there  was  a  possibility  that 
influence  would  be  exercised  over  the  youth,  incompatible  with  the 
rights  which  we  are  placed  here  to  guard." 

During  the  'mighty  struggle  for  civil  dominion  on  the  con- 


OF  PRBSBTTERIANISM.  69 

tinent  of  Europe,  there  were  not,  in  my  humble  conception, 
two  more  thrilling  and  appropriate  speeches  delivered,  than 
the  preceding.  For  as  the  revolution  in  states  and  kingdoms, 
prostrated  ancient  dynasties,  and  uprooted  deeply-founded 
customs  and  usages,  so  the  effects  resulting  from  the  delivery 
of  these  two  speeches,  together  with  their  publication,  intro- 
duced, in  many  respects,  a  new  era  in  the  politics  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Cast  into  the  political  alembic  which  the  American  revolu- 
tion had  prepared  for  the  refinement  and  purification  of  souls, 
Messrs.  Povvel  and  Burden  came  forth  bearing  the  heavenly 
impress,  and  shining  with  all  the  graces  of  the  spirit  of  free- 
dom,  and  endowed  with  an  eloquence  which  confounded  their 
enemies,  while  it  filled  their  friends  with  admiration. 

It  is,  therefore,  gratifying,  to  turn  one's  attention  to  those 
speeches,  where  we  behold  mznfl?  developing  its  lofty  powers 
in  grasping  so  important  a  subject,  where  the  fire  of  genius 
is  enkindled  at  the  altar  of  truth,  and  before  whose  prowess 
error  lies  prostrate,  overcome  and  vanquished  by  that  intel- 
lectual strength  which  was  guided  and  directed  by  Him  who 
is  the  author  of  truth;  and  who  will  ever  guide  and  direct 
him,  who  is  a  friend  to  "the  land  of  the  free,  and  the  home 
of  the  brave!" 

At  the  first  appearance  of  these  speeches,  in  the  public 
prints,  these  gentlemen  had  to  endure  much  obloquy  and 
reproach.  All  the  bitterness  of  sarcasm,  the  poignancy  of 
wit  and  ridicule,  as  well  as  the  piteous  moans  of  offended  and 
mortified  pride  and  ambition,  were  alternately  used  against 
them  by  Dr.  Ely's  lazy  legion  of  scavengers,  under-strap- 
pers,  draymen,  and  chimney  sweeper?.  Take  for  example, 
the  following  paragraph  from  a  Presbyterian  print." 

^^Torrents  of  abuse  and  animadversion  have  been  poured 
upon  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  on  the  occasion  of 
its  asking  for  an  act  of  incorporation,  from  the  Pennsylvania 
Legislature.  After  the  cordial  and  unqualified  approbation, 
expressed  before  a  public  meeting  in  the  City  of  Washington, 
of  the  designs,  principles  and  operations  of  the  Union,  by 
such  men  as  Webster,  Freelinghuysen,  Wirt,  Hayne  and 
others,  it  might  be  expected  that  the  small  politicians  who 
had  disgraced  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  would  hide 
their  diminished  headsV^ 

These  speeches  aroused  the  public  mind,  and  elicited  an 
enquiry  into  the  objects  and  plans  of  the  Union,  which  its 
friends  have  felt  the  smart  of  ever  since;  and  which  they  will 
continue  to  feel,  while  they  harbor  mercenary  views,  or  try 


70  HELPS  TO  THE   STTJ0Y 

to  disguise  ambitious  purposes.  Soon  after  the  petitioiiiy 
praying  that  the  Union  might  enjoy  the  same  rights  with 
bodies  corporate  in  law,  had  been  presented  to  the  Legisla- 
ture, a  long  list  of  subscribers,  eitizens  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  believed  it  to  be  their  duty  to  remon- 
strate against  the  passage  of  any  such  law,  was  also  forwarded 
to  the  Legislature^  and  was  presented  in  both  houses.  This 
remonstrance  first  appeared  in  the  American  Sentinel,  but 
was  afterwards  copied  off  into  various  papers,  and  extensive- 
ly circulated.  I  have  it  before  me  in  pamphlet  form^  from 
which  I  make  the  following  extract: — • 

**A  few  years  since,  a  number  of  schools  were  instituted  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  youth,  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  commonly  called  Sunday,and  in 
many  cases  were  found  productive  of  benefit  to  the  community.  In- 
tended for  a  class  of  citizens,  who  on  that  particular  day  were  exposed 
to  numerous  temptations  to  vice,  your  remonstrants  would  not  be  con- 
sidered as  objecting  to  their  continuance  on  the  original  ground. 

But  they  have  been  increased  in  an  alarming  manner,  by  a  combina- 
tion among  men  of  undoubted  ability,  and  pei'haps  of  piety.  In  the  dif- 
ferent states  of  the  Union,  a  number  of  these  schools  have  been  erected 
together,  (or  more  strictly  their  managers)  form^ing  what  has  beea called  a 
state  society.  The  evil,  however,  does  not  stop  heve,  for  these  bodies 
are  to  be  found  in  all  the  states,  and  at  length,  after  unwearied  efforts, 
they  have  been  united  into  one  grand  system.  Such  is  the  scrope  of  action 
possessed  by  this  mighty  institution,  that  while  its  trunk  reposes  on  the 
soil  of  our  state,  its  members  are  spread  from  Maine  to  Mexico,  and  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Western  Wilderness.  Its  concerns  are  managed  by 
men  who,  both  in  their  public  discourses  and  private  conversation,  have 
rot  scrupled  to  avow  their  determination  to  subject  the  consciences  and 
persons  of  the /ree  citizens  of  these  United  States  to  the  tyranny  of  aa 
ecclesiastical  domination. 

Thip  being  the  state  of  the  matter,  your  remonstrants  have,  with  plea.- 
sure,  recurred  to  the  example  and  precepts  of  the  great  founder  of  tliis 
state,  who  ever  held  in  his  hand  the  ample  charter  of  liberty;  who  invited 
the  oppressed  from  the  blood-stained  arena  of  European  despotism,  and 
who  ransomed  the  wretched  victims  of  religious  persecution  from  loath- 
some dungeons^where  the  tyrant's  mandate  had  hurled  them.  In  the  sys- 
tem of  our  ahcestors,  there  was  nothing  of  intolerance  or  of  bigotry,  for 
they  recognized,  in  its  broadest  sense,  the  great  principle,  that  man  is 
answerable  to  man  only  for  his  external  acts,  and  that  the  mind  is  freer 
tJian  the  air  we  breathe.  That  with  the  private  opinions  and  consciences 
of  men,  no  human  law  can,  or  ought  to  interfere,  the  right  of  directing 
the  soul  of  man,  being  the  prerogative  of  God.  Influenced  by  such  ele- 
vated motives,  they  spurned  all  narrow  notions,  and  dispensed  the  bless- 
ings of  civil  government  with  an  impartial  hand. 

It  is  ours  to  say,  we  live  in  a  land  where  no  religious  test  is  required 
from  any  of  its  people,  and  where  it  is  declared  to  be  not  an  indulgence 
merely,  but  the  inalienable  right  of  every  man  to  worship  his  Creator 
according  to  the  dictates  of  his  conscience.  But  in  vain  shall  we  exult  in 
the  privilege,  if  the  great  basis  of  our  hopes  is  slowly  to  be  sapped. 

The  institution  to  which  we  have  thus  called  your  attention,  alike  osten» 
isibly  framed  for  benevolent  purposes,  has  manifestly  passed  the  bounds 


OF    PRESBYTERIAKISM.  71 

prescribed,  in  ordinary  circumstances,  to  bodies  of  a  similar  nature .  It  has 
been  rapidly  engrossing  the  pubhcation  of  works  of  a  religious  character, 
and  at  the  present  moment  the  quantity  of  secular  business  transacted,  is 
of  immense  amount.  The  necessary  results  will  be,  a  monopoly  both 
spiritual  and  temporal,  alike  repugnant  to  the  genius  of  the  constitution, 
and  destructive  to  the  future  exertions  of  many  enterprising  individuals. 

Its  concerns  are  transacted  in  a  building  splendid  and  imposing  in  its  as- 
pect^ the  lower  story  of  which  is  occupied  as  a  store  for  the  sale  of  numer- 
ous books,  authorized  by  the  managers.  In  this  large  collection,  there 
is  not  to  be  found  apuhlication  at  variance  with  the  creed  of  the  religious 
society  most  interested  in  its  welfare." 

Those  who  may  object  to  the  foiegoing  chapters  because 
little  occurrences  are  noticed  with  a  particularity  which  they 
may  think  monotonous  and  tiresome,  should  remember  that 
these  are  parts  of  the  subject,  and  are  therefore  essential  to 
the  completion  of  this  exposition.  They  are,  beside,  facts, 
which,  had  they  been  omitted  out  of  regard  to  the  classical 
taste  of  those  who  are  more  nice  than  wise,  would  have  left 
chasms  which  the  mind  of  the  reader  must  have  either  filled 
up  with  conjecture,  or  left  vacant  for  want  of  the  necessary 
materials.  I  have,  therefore,  endeavored  to  connect  every 
chain  by  its  several  links;  and  though  sonrte  links  maybe  of 
such  a  structure  as  to  detract  from  the  beauty  and  strength  of 
the  chain,  yet,  they  are  no  less  essential  to  make  it  complete. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

American  tract  societt — its  origin— -principles^ — de- 
sign  AND   TENDENCY. 

The  art  of  printing  was  discovered  about  the  same  time 
tiiat  Luther  commenced  the  Reformation  in  Germany.  And 
how  powerfully  and  efficiently  this  mechanical  engine  was 
used  to  diffuse  abroad  those  grand  and  reforming  principles 
which  Luther,  under  God,  was  instrumental  in  reviving,  I 
need  not  now  undertake  to  tell,  as  it  is  known  to  all  who  have 
the  slightest  acquaintance  with  the  history  of  this  great  and 
beneficial  process;  and  as  it  is  not  necessary  to  my  present 
purpose. 

It  is  true,  however,  that  the  enemies  of  the  cause  availed 
themselves  of  the  same  weapon  in  defence  of  error;  but  the 
evil  is  much  more  than  counterbalanced  by  the  immense  ad- 
vantages resulting  from  a  proper  application  of  this  powerful 
instrument.  From  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  along  down 
to  the  present  day,  we  find  that  by  the  press,  the  principles 


yS  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

of  civil  and  religious  liberty  have  been  developed,  and  that  a 
glorious  influence  has  been  exerted  on  both  the  understand- 
ings and  moral  conduct  of  mankind,  as  well  as  on  the  civil 
state  of  society.  Tyrants  and  deceivers  have  trembled  lor 
their  fate  ever  since  Mr.,  Coster,  of  the  city  of  Harlaem,  in 
the  Netherlands,  invented  this  art;  and  more  especially  have 
they  trembled  since  this  engine  has  been  put  in  successful 
operation  in  the  different  kingdoms  of  this  world ;  and  they 
will  continue  to  be  alarmed  until  they  are  both  driven  from 
their  "hiding  places,''  and  from  their  < 'refuges  of  lies," — so 
I  most  ardently  pray. 

In  regard  to  the  origin  and  history  of  tracts,  and  tract 
societies,  I  may  briefly  premise,  that  even  the  I3ible  itself 
was  first  published  in  the  form  of  tracts,  the  books  of  which  it 
is  composed  having  been  issued  separately,  and  in  succession; 
and  even  after  the  sacred  canon  was  completed,  brief  religious 
productions  were  from  time  to  time  ushered  into  the  world. 
I  have  already  intimated,  that  the  Reformers  of  the  sixteenth 
century,  with  the  facilities  afforded  by  the  invention  of  the 
art  of  printing,  availed  themselves  of  this  art  or  mode  of  dis- 
seminating religious  truth,  and  that  too,  to  the  great  annoy- 
ance of  papal  authority  and  infallibility.  But  the  successors 
to  the  reformers  pursued  the  same  course,  till  at  length  the 
Rev.  John  Wesley,  the  founder  of  Methodism,  took  a  more 
permanent  and  decided  stand  in  this  work;  and  during  almost 
the  whole  of  his  long  life,  issued,  from  his  own  press,  large 
quantities  of  tracts  on  various  subjects,  many  of  which,  being 
gratuitously  distributed,  were  perused  with  avidity  by  all 
classes  of  the  community.  But  it  was  not  till  1799,  that  the 
first  regular  tract  society  was  organized.  The  ' 'London 
Tract  Society,"  which  is  properly  the  parent  institution,  takes 
its  date  from  this  period;  and  was  especially  established  to 
counteract  the  influence  of  the  infidel  tracts  and  infidel  prin- 
ciples of  Voltaire  and  his  associates. 

The  first  regularly  organized  tract  institution  in  the  United 
States,  was  the  ''Connecticut  Tract  Society,"  founded  in 
1807;  although  Dr.  Coke,  Bishop  Asbury,  and  others  of  the 
Methodist  church,  had  circulated  tracts  to  a  considerable 
extent  at  a  much  earlier  date. 

The  earliest  regularly  organized  tract  society  in  the  Metho- 
dist church,  was  the  < 'New- York  Methodist  Tract  Society," 
in  1817;  although  tracts  to  a  considerable  amount  had  been 
printed  and  circulated  by  the  Methodist  Book  Concern,  since 
the  year  1811.     In  1826,  the  style  of  this    society  was 


6P  FitESBYTERIANiSM,  73 

/t^hanged  to  that  of  the  tract  society  of  the  Methodist 

^EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

*  Other  denominations,  generally,  have,  at  this  time,  their 
respective  tract  societies;  and  if  I  were  not  fearful  that   I 

^  might  weary  the  patience  of  the  reader,  I  would  mention  the 

I  day  and  date  of  their  organization. 

The  AMERICAN  tract  society  was  not  instituted  till  so 
late  as  the  year  1825.     The  first  annual  meeting  of  this  insti- 

^ttjtion  was  held  at  the  City  Hotel,  New- York,  on  Wednesday, 
May  10,  1826.     Now,  this  institution,  as  may  be  said  of  all 

^  the  national  societies,  is  decidedly  a  Presbyterian  concern: 
i^vyas  gotten  up  by  these  folks— it  is  carried  on  by  them;  and 

m  is  aiding  and  abetting  the  cause  of  Presbyterianism,  in, 
h'ery  way.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  however,  the  agents, 
managers,  and  members  of  the  society,  all  unite  in  trying  to 
impress  the  public  mind  with  the  belief,  that  the  Methodists, 
Episcopalians,  Baptists,  Presbyterians,  Lutherans,  &c.  are  all 
equally  concerned  in  its  management,  and  benefited  by  its 
operations.  And  in  every  annual  report  of  the  society,  and 
in  almost  every  number  of  the  American  Tract  Map;azine, 
statements,  to  this  effect  have  been  made;  together  with  the 
most  positive  assurance  that  none  of  the  society's  publications 
were  in  the  least  degree  sectarian.  For  instance,  take  the 
following  paragraph,  from  the  First  .Annual  Report  of  the 

^Executive  Committee,  of  the  Society,  submitted  in  Mav, 
1826:—  •^' 

«'If  any  have  imbibed  the  impression,  i\\^i  religious  tracts 
are  unworthy  of  their  own  personal  regard,  the  committee 
have  only  to  invite  them  to  become  familiar  wnth  their  con- 
tents; and  they  will  find  them  richly  imbued  with  that  Gospel 
which  is  ^profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction, 
and  for  instruction  in  righteousness.'  They  are  adapted  to 
the  spiritual  wants  of  the  old  and  the  young,  the  rich  and  the 
poor,  the  learned  and  the  unlearned.  Most  of  them  are 
written  by  men  whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches;  (Presby- 
terian clergymen,)  and  though  the  publications  of  the  society 
have  been  selected  by  individuals  from  different  denomi- 
nations OF  christians,  the  committee  would  express  their 
persuasion,  that  thers  is  no  series  of  tracts  to  be  found,  in 
any  country,  or  any  language,  more  decidedly  evangeli- 
cal." 

In  the  Philadelphian,  of  October  14,  1831,  (and  over  his 
own  signature  too)  we  have  the  following  laconic  reply,  to 
one  of  the  editor's  correspondents,  who  had  enquired  what 
relation  the  different  denominations  sustain  to  this  society: 


7*  HEXPS   TO  THE   STtlDT 

"The  American  Tract  Society  is  governed  by  fipiscopap*^ 
Hans,  Methodists,  Baptists,  Congregationalists,  Presby terians,4 
and  members  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  church,  in  nearly  eqital  ^ 
numbers  from  each  section  of  the  church  of  God  to  which 
they  belong.     Of  course  they  publish  no  tract  hostile  to  th  .  . 
views  and  interests  of  any  one  of  the  parties  concerned  irt  i 
this  grand  Tract  cause!     The  Baptists  and  Methodists,  how-  ♦ 
ever,  have  their  independent  tract  societies,   which  publish 
their  respective,  peculiar  tenets.     The  Presbyterians  hav^'J 
no  Presbyte^'ian  Tract  Society  any  where  in  operation,  so 
far  as  I  know,  to  disseminate  those  doctrines  in  which  they  . 
differ  from  their  Baptist,  Methodist,  and  Episcopal  brethren; 
and  the  reason  is,  that  the  Presbyterians  are  less  sectarianU 
in  their  views,  feelings,  and  efforts,  than  any  other  de^ 
nomination  in  our  country ! !  V^  ' 

Now,  I  would  enquire,  is  it  not  a  little  strange,  that  the 
Baptists  and  Methodists,  having  their  own  ^^independent 
tract  societies''  should  still  continue  to  govern,  in  ^'nearly 
equal"  proportions,  the  American  Tract  Society? 

And  for  a  Presbyterian  to  say  or  publish,  <nhat  the  Presby- 
terians are  less  sectarian  in  their  views,  feelings,  and  efforts, 
than  any  other  denomination  in  our  country,"  only  excites 
my  commiseration,  to  think  that  he  is  so  blinded.  There  is 
so  much  perversity  of  truth,  and,  I  fear,  obliquity  of  inten- 
tion indirectly  set  forth  in  the  two  foregoing  extracts,  that  I^ 
am  at  a  loss  to  know  how  I  shall  answer  them,  whether  with 
severity,  or  by  candid  explanation.  But  it  has  just  occured 
to  me,  that  they  carry  with  them  their  own  refutation  and 
condemnation.  Notwithstanding  Dr.  Ely  represents  this 
society  under  color  and  profession  of  being  a  common  interest, 
not  sectarian,  he  is,  himself,  the  projector  and  great  god- 
father of  it;  and  he  knows,  that  it  was  set  on  foot  for  the  express 
purpose  of  disseminating  the  < 'respective,  peculiar  tenets"  of 
Calvinism.  And,  that  much  abused  pack-horse,  the  people, 
cannot  be  deceived  any  longer.     The  mask  is  well  nigh  off. 

At  the  first  annual  "meeting  of  the  American  Tract  Society, 
William  McKendree  and  Joshua  Soule,  two  of  the 
bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  were  elected  to 
the  office  of  Vice-Presidents,  without  their  knowledge  or 
consent!  And  in  this  same  way,  many  prominent  Methodist 
ministers  in  different  states  in  the  Union,  have  been  made 
officers  and  life  members  of  this  Institution ;  but  in  every  case, 
they  have  written  the  society  polite  notes,  requesting  their 
names  to  be  stricken  from  the  list  of  officers  and  members. 
Now  all  this  has  been  done  to  form  a  kind  of  zest  to  the  song 


or  PRBSBYTBMIANISM.  7^ 

of  union;  and  to  enable  the  agents  of  the  American  Tract 
Society,  to  more  effectually  filch  money  from  the  pockets  and 
purses  of  the  members  and  friends  of  the  Methodist  church. 
And  so  common  was  this  practice,  about  the  time  of  the 
formation  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  and  for  some  time 
after  that,  that  at  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  managers  of  the 
New  York  Methodist  Tract  Society,  the  following  resolutions 
were  unanimously  passed: — 

"1 .  Resolved^  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  board  it  is  inexpedient  for  the 
Methodist  Tract  Society  to  unite  in  the  proposed  establishment  of  a  Na- 
ilonal  Tnct  Society;  and  that  such  an  institution,  with  any  other  of  a  simi- 
lar nature,  is  rather  fraught  with  danger  to  the  religious  communities  in 
this  country,  in  which  every  advance  toward  any  establishment  of  a  7ia- 
tional  character,  professedly  connected  with  religion,  ought  to  be 
promptly  and  decidedly  discountenanced. 

2.  Resolved^  That  this  board  are  of  opinion  that  it  will  be  improper  to 
place  the  names  of  any  official  or  other  persons  in  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  on  any  committee,  or  in  any  official  relation,  connected  with 
the  proposed  establishment,  without  their  consent. 

3.  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  resolutions  be  transmitted  by 
the  clerk  to  the  committee  of  the  New  York  Tract  Society,  and  to  the 
agent  of  the  American  Tract  Society. 

The  foregoing  is  a  true  copy  from  the  minutes  of  the  board  of  the  New 
York  Methodist  Tract  Society. 

L.  S.  BURLING,  Ci.'k." 

Again:  By  examining  the  list  of  members  for  life,  as  well 
as  the  directors  for  life,  as  exhibited  in  the  last  annual  report 
of  this  society,  it  will  be  seen,  that  there  are  five  Calvinists 
for  ONE  Arminian!!!  And, as  <^each  subscriber  of  five  dol- 
lars annually,  shall  be  a  director;''  and  as  "the  board  of  direc- 
tors shall  annually  elect,  by  ballot,  a  puhlishing^  a  distri- 
buting, and  a  finance  committee,''  I  avow,  that  under  the 
provisions  of  the  constitution,  Calvinists,  Unitarians,  Univer- 
salists,  Deists,  or  any  other  sect,  are  competent  to  take  charge 
of  the  Institution.  See  the  second  and  fifth  articles  of  the 
constitution.  And  what  security  have  we,  that  this  whole 
concern  will  not'ultimately  be  used,  for  the  exclusive  purpose 
oi  publishing  the  Catechisms,  and  Confession  of  Faith,  of 
the  Presbyterian  church?  Or  what  security  have  we,  that 
the  vast  army  of  Infidels  who  reside  in  New  York,  will  not 
in  the  end,  take  charge  of  the  society,  and  use  it  to  publish 
the  origmal  tracts  of  Voltaire?  The  constitution  allows  of 
this  abuse. 

Again :  This  society  boasts  of  the  cheapness  of  its  publica- 
tions; and  its  agents  represent  it  as  greatly  underselling  all 
other  a§3Qci?^tions  of  the  kind.     But  I  find  by  examining  "the 


76  HELPS  UO  THU    STUDY 

society's  established  price  for  its  publications,"  that  the  Tract 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  sells  its  publica- 
tions twenty  'per  cent,  cheaper!!  However,  had  the  Metho- 
dist Tract  Society  to  support  as  many  lazy  agents,  and  half 
as  many  profligate  little  missionaries,  as  does  the  American 
Tract  Society,  its  publications  would  not  be  so  cheap. 

As  to  the  American  Tract  Society,  however,  it  has  already 
at  its  command  about  sixty-five  thousand  dollars  annu- 
ally ! ! !  In  the  year  1833,  the  receipts  into  the  treasury  of  the 
American  Tract  Society,  were,  in  one  months  upwards  of 
four  thousand  dollars!  And  the  amount  paid  into  the  trea- 
sury during  the  same  month,  for  tracts  sold,  was  upwards  of 
three  thousand  dollars! 

Should  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  be  put  down,  as  it  in 
all  probability  will,  why,  then,  in  money  matters,  the  Ameri- 
can Tract  Society  must  stand  without  a  rival! 

Once  more:  It  is  said  by  the  friends  and  agents  of  this 
society,  that  its  publications  are  not  only  cheap,  but  entirely 
free  from  every  thing  like  sectarianism. 

First,  many  of  its  publications  are  light  and  fictitious,  and 
consequently  pernicious,  which,  so  far  from  benefiting  the 
mind,  robs  it  of  correct  principle:  next,  others  are  decidedly 
Calvinistic;  while  others,  1  readily  allow,  are  super-excellent; 
and  the  style  in  which  they  are  written,  though  very  elegant,  is 
not  more  excellent  than  the  subjects  treated  upon.  But, 
upon  the  whole,  we  should  teach  our  innocent  and  unsuspect- 
ing children  to  shun  them,  as  Ihey  would  the  Samiel  of  the 
Desart!  Should  any  doubt  whether  the  publications  of  this 
Society  are  sectarian,  or  have  a^sectarian  tendency,  as  speci- 
7?iens,  I  refer  them  to  the  Tracts  JNo.  27,  and  No.  171,  the 
one  denominated  '^Parental  Duties,"  and  the  other  "Parental 
Faithfulness."  In  addition  to  the  direct  influence  which  this 
society  exerts  upon  the  public  sentiment  by  the  circulation 
of  its  tracts,  some  of  which  are  no  inconsiderable  volumes,  it 
exerts  a  mighty  influence  by  the  labors  of  its  agents,  every  one 
ofivho7n  is  a  missionary  to  all  intents  and  purposes;  and 
nearly  every  one  of  them  too,  is  a  disciple  of  Calvin,  Hopkins 
&  CO.,  though  deriving  his  support  from  the  funds  of  the 
American  Tract  Society.  "With  these  facts  staring  us  in  the 
face,  it  would  seem  very  unwise  for  any  Jirmiriian,  to  con- 
tribute to  the  support  of  the  society  in  any  way.  My 
remarks,  concerning  this,  and  other  National  Societies, 
may,  and  doubtless  will,  appear  to  some,  not  only  uncharita- 
ble, but  unworthy  a  professor  of  Christianity,  not  to  say  a 
minister  of  the  gospel.     I  frankly  confess,  that  on  this  sub- 


01?    PttfiSfi  YTEtllANlSM.  7r 

ject  I  feel  exquisitely;  and  I  assure  my  readers,  that  the  opin- 
ions herein  expressed,  have  not  been  given  without  strict 
examination,  and  due  reflection.  I  therefore,  conscientious- 
ly, enter  my  most  solemn  protest  against  the  American 
Tract  Society. 

In  conclusion,  fellow-countrymen,  by  the  holy  spirit  of 
freedom  which  animated  the  breasts  of  our  forefathers,  which 
prompted  them  to  resist  the  arbitrary  laws  of  Great  Britain, 
to  pass  the  trying  ordeal,  and  engage  in  deadly  strife  with  that 
giant-like  power,  and  nerved  their  arms  in  battle;  by  the  blood 
which  they  poured  forth  as  water,  drenching  the  fields  of 
death  and  carnage,  and  causing  the  streams  to  run  red:  by  the 
spirits  ot  Washington,  of  Warren,  of  Green,  of  Marion,  of 
Franklin,  of  Jefferson,  and  that  immortal  band  of  patriots, 
whose  lives,  fortunes,  and  earthly  all,  were  devoted  to  the 
best  interests  of  man:  by  the  surviving  patriots  of  the  revolu- 
tion, and  of  that  righteous  struggle  which  taught  Europe's 
despots  that  even  war  is  a  less  evil  than  subjugation  and 
slavery:  by  your  own  rights  which  you  hold  as  sacred  deposi- 
tories for  your  children:  by  the  happiness  of  generations  yet 
to  come:  by  the  constitution  and  character  of  your  country, 
assuming  the  proud  pre-eminence  of  being  the  asylum  for  the 
oppressed  of  all  nations:  by  the  issue  of  the  late  and  great 
^^experimtnf^  of  self  government  in  our  country,  which 
should  ever  teach  us  a  salutary  lesson:  by  the  hopes  and  pros- 
pects of  the  universal  brotherhood  of  mankind,  and  their  final 
emancipation  and  enjoyment  of  high  Heaven's  best  gift, 
FREEDOM,  I  adjure  you  to  watch  the  movement  of  that  am- 
bitious, designing  and  pestilential  phalanx,  who  aim  at  de- 
stroying our  rights,  and  to  meet  with  an  uncompromising 
spirit  of  integrity  and  resistance  their  detestable  machinations. 
Thus  averting  from  our  land  the  baneful  influence  of  a  union 
of  church  and  state,  and  securing  to  those  who  come  after  us, 
the  unimpaired  prerogative  of  civil  and  religious  liberty.   - 

In  conclusion,  I  cannot  refrain  from  repeating  a  part  of  an 
old  ode,  written  by  a  poet  of  New  York,  during  the  war 
of'96: 

"For  ever  float  that  standard  sheet! 

AVhere  breathes  the  foe  that  stands  before  us, 

With  freedom's  soil  beneath  our  feet, 

And  freedom's  banner  streaming-  o'er  us!" 


g2 


T8  HEIiPS    TO  THE    STUDY 


,    CHAPTER  IX. 

The    AMERICAN  HOME    MISSIONARY   SOCIETY — ITS  ORIGIN — • 
ITS    miNCIPLES  AND  TENDENCY. 

I  AM  not  one  of  those  fanatics  who  think  that  all  the  world 
of  human  beings,  are  to  be  made  Christians  and  devotees  at 
once,  and  that  all  duty  is  to  be  absorbed  in  the  mere  form& 
of  religion. 

Nor  yet,  am  I  one  of  those  hair-brained  fanaticsvvho  suppose 
that  no  moral  change  can  be  effected  in  our  world,  but  through 
1  he  instrumentalit)^  of  missionaries  sent  out  by  a  7ia/i072«/ 50C2e- 
/y.  No;  but  from  what  I  have  seen,  and  from  what  is  daily 
taking  place  in  our  world,  I  believe  that  well  regulated  mis- 
sionary societies — societies  formed  upon  j^ure  jjrincipleSf. 
and  having  pure  ends  in  view,  may  effect  great  and  glorious 
purposes. 

Of  the  benefits  that  will  arise  to  the  church  in  general,  and 
which  have  already  arisen  to  the  heathens  in  particular,  from 
the  labors  of  pious  missionaries,  sent  out  by  different  associa- 
tions, I  believe,  that  it  is  impossible  to  form  an  exaggerated 
estimate.  I  fully  believe,  that  the  King  of  Glory,  directed 
the  energies  of  the  first  Protestant  missionaries  to  the  heathen 
world.  And  I  likewise  believe,  that  there  is  no  cause  more 
worthy  of  the  support,  and  hearty  co-operation  of  the  Chris- 
tian world,,  than  the  cause  of  missions..  But  at  the  same 
tipe,  we  should  be  fully  assured  of  both  the  health  and  sanity 
of  even  a  missionary  society,  before  we  contribute  to  its  sup- 
port. Man  is  mentally  and  corporeally  enfeebled  by  sin, 
and  his  energies  and  exploits  are  immediately  connected  with 
his  depraved  state. 

The  American  Home  Alissionary  Society,  it  is  well  known, 
was  first  organized  in  the  year  1826.  The  United  Domestic 
Missionary  Society  of  New- York,  was  organized  in  the  year 
1822;  and  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  American 
Home,  it  had  been  in  pretty  successful  operation  for  four 
A  ears,  and  in  1826,  reported  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven 
missionaries,  and  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  churches  and 
congregations,  measurably  under  its  control!  From  this  lo- 
cal, though  Calvinian  Society,  the  American  Home  origi- 
nated. But  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society  was 
planned  in  the  city  of  Boston  by  the  Congregationalists — at 
their  request  the  United  Domestic  Missionary  Society  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  adopted  the  constitution  they  had  drawn 


OF  PRESBTTERIANISM.  79 

up,  and  forthwith  became  the  American  Home.  And  to  the 
great  grief  of  the  old  Bluestocking  Presbyterians,  about  this 
time,  all  the  domestic  missionary  societies  in  New  England, 
became  merged  into,  or  auxiliary  to  the  American  Home. 
And  this  same  American  Home,  has  been,  and  still  is,  the 
cause  of  more  grief,  pamphlet  writing,  synodical  debates,  and 
pulpit  and  fire  side  controversies,  than  any  institution  con- 
nected with,  or  in  any  degree  approved  of  by  the  Presbyterian 
church.  Yes,  the  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  American  Home, 
from  time  to  time,  to  prostrate  or  neutralize  the  General  As- 
sembly's Board  of  Missions,  has  produced  most  of  those 
disturbances,  divisions,  heart-burnings  and  evil-surmisings, 
under  which  the  Presbyterian  church  has  been  withering  and 
groaning  for  several  years  past.  But  finding  that  said  con- 
troversy, was  like  to  prove  to  Presbyterianism,  what  Camp- 
bellism  is  to  the  Baptists,  they  have  in  a  degree  moderated. 

In  the  year  1831,  J.  L.  Willson,  D.  D.  Pastor  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  church,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  a  man  of  high 
standing  and  respectability  in  said  church,  published  a  pamph- 
let entitled  '<Four  propositions  sustained  against  the  claims  of 
the  American  Home  Missionary  Society.''  The  following, 
are  his  four  propositions: — 

*^I.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has  committed  the  management 
of  Christian  missions  to  his  church. 

II.  The  Presbyterian  church,  being  one  great  family  of  the 
church  of  Jesus  Christ,  is,  by  her  form  of  government,  organ- 
ized into  a  Christian  Missionary  Society. 

III.  The  American  Home  Missionary  Society  is  not  an 
ecclesiastical,  but  a  civil  Institution. 

IV.  By  interference  and  importunity  she  disturbs  the 
peace  and  injures  the  prosperity  of  the  Presbyterian  church." 

Thai  Mr.  Willson  has  truly  <*sustained"  these  *  ^proposi- 
tions," is  as  clear  to  the  mind  of  an  impartial  reader,  as  the 
mid-day  sun;  and  the  clear  and  forcible  manner  in  which  he 
has  supported  the  two  last  propositions,  has  done  honor  to 
both  him,  and  the  cause  he  has  so  ably  advocated.  In  sup- 
port of  the  two  last  propositions,  I  will  give  the  two  foUowirng 
extracts  from  Mr.  Willson 's  pamphlet: — 

"That  the  AraericAa  Home  Missionary  Socrety  is  not  an  ecciesiasticai, 
but  a  aVi7  Institution. 

Ecclesiastical  meana  belon^ng  to  the  church — civil  signifies  belonging 
to  any  person  in  the  commonwealth  or  body  politic. 

This  proportion  is  fully  proven  by  the  facts  disclosed  by  the  constitution 
of  the  society.  Any  per«on  with  one  cent  can  purchase  membership.  With 
thirty  dollars,  can  purchase  membership  for  life.     The  payment  of  one 


80  HEXPS   To  THE   STtBY 

hundred  dollars  constitutes  any  one  a  director  for  life.  The  members,  all 
of  whom  may  be  worldly  men,  elect  the  officers  and  manag-ers.  The  con- 
stitution affords  no  security  that  any  one  of  the  officers  or  any  member  of 
the  executive  committee  shall  belong-  to  any  church. 

This  may  be  an  American  association,  but  it  certainly,  so  far  as  its  consti- 
tution goes,  is  very  unlike  that  society  to  which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has 
committed  the  manag-ement  of  Christian  missions. 

The  corresponding-  secretary  of  this  American  Home  has  published  that 
she  consists  of  twenty  thousand  members.  These  are  scattered  over  vast 
regions  of  country,  and  supposing  them  all  pious,  they  cannot  attend  the 
annual  meetings  in  New-York,  and  give  their  votes  at  the  elections.  Sup- 
pose then,  that  as  many  of  the  twenty  thousand  Infidels,  who  are  said  to 
reside  in  that  city,  as  might  be  sufficient  to  control  an  election,  should 
purchase  membership  for  that  purpose — is  there  any  thing  to  prevent  them 
from  making  a  board  of  their  own  stamp,  and  taking  the  control  of  the 
society  into  their  own  hands?  Do  you  say  there  is  no  danger?  I  say,  if 
such  a  movement  be  practicable,  there  is  danger.  The  bare  possibility 
of  such  a  defeat  should  teach  the  friends  of  the  American  Home  that  she 
is  built  upon  the  sand.  Will  you  reply,  that  infidels  can  join  the  church 
in  order  to  effect  its  ruin?  Christ  has  said  that  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not 
prevail  against  it.  Can  infidels  with  the  same  facility  reach  the  Assembly's 
Board  of  Missions?  To  change  this  board,  they  must  not  only  join  the 
church,  but  become  ordained  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  then  be  np- 
pointed  commissionei-s  to  the  General  Assembly,  in  such  numbers  as  to 
make  a  majority.  How  widely  different  is  all  this  from  the  easy  method 
of  purchasing  a  vote  at  a  popular  election  by  the  payment  of  a  mere 
trifle. 

That  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  by  interference  and  im- 
portunity, disturbs  the  peace  and  injures  the  prosperity  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church. 

On  this  subject  I  need  ask  but  a  few  questions.  Who  disturbed  the 
peace  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1828,  when  an  overture  was  presented 
for  re-organizing  the  Board  of  Missions?  Who  disturbed  the  peace  of 
the  Cincinnati  Presbytery,  when,  for  years,  the  brethren  had  been  en- 
gaged, without  an  instance  of  discord,  in  promoting  revivals  of  religion* 
Who  produced  the  evils  and  distress  depicted  in  the  following  language? 
*'The  evils  of  the  separate  operations"  [of  the  two  boards]  "in  this  coun- 
try, are  increasing  with  the  days,  weeks,  and  months  as  they  pas's> — 
Churches  are  divided— sessions  are  divided — and  ministers  are  taking 
different  sides — there  is  much  heart-burning — many  suspicions  and  severe 
censures  felt  and  expressed  against  both  boards.^'  These  are  extracts 
from  a  letter  addressed  to  the  committee  of  the  Cincinnati  Presbytery,  by 
the  Rev.  N.  H.  Hall,  Rev.  John  C.  Young,  and  Rev.  V.  S.  Hinkley,  and 
dated  at  Lexington,  Kentuck)%  August  22,  1830.  To  each  of  the  above 
questions  1  answer  without  the  fear  of  a  reasonable  contradiction,  that  the 
interference  and  importunity  of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society, 
have  produced  those  disturbances,  divisions,  heart-burnings  and  suspicions, 
under  which  the  church  is  withering  and  groaning. 

These  things  have  not  been  done  in  a  corner.  Many  an  eye  has  wept 
— many  a  heart  has  bled — and  1  have  no  doubt  but  the  operations  so  pro- 
ductive of  mischief,  stand  recorded  in  that  book,  which  in  the  great  day, 
will  disclose  the  motives  of  those  who  sow  the  seeds  of  discord  and  kindle 
the  coals  of  strife  among  brethren.  Disturb  the  peace  of  any  society, 
and  you  injure  her  prosperity.  But  you  injure  her  still  more,  if  you  suc- 
ceed in  alienating  her  friends,  and  drawing  off  her  resoufces." 


or  PBESBYTERIANISM.  81 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1830,  or  the  first  of  1831,  the 
Rev.  A.  Peters,  corresponding  secretary  of  the  American 
Home,  published  six  letters  in  the  Cincinnati  Journal,  entitled 
'^A  plea  for  Union  in  the  West;''  and  in  these  letters,  he  not 
only  set  forth  the  false  claims  and  boasted  pretensions  of  the 
society  under  consideration;  but  he  likewise  al;used  all  who 
had  dared  to  speak  against  it,  and  labored  hard  to  biing  the 
General  Assembly's  Board  into  disrepute.  To  these  letters, 
the  Presbyterian  Board  at  Philadelphia,  replied  in  a  large 
pamphlet  entitled,  ''An  Official  Reply  of  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions of  the  General  Assembly,  to  six  letters  of  the  Rev. 
Absalom  Peters,  corresponding  secretary  of  the  American 
Home  Missionary  Society.'' 

From  this  official  document,  I  extract,  and  herewith  submit, 
the  resolutions  of  the  Steubenville  and  Lancaster  Presbyteries* 
in  Ohio:  ^ 


''RESOLUTION'S  OF    THE  PRESBrTERT    OF  LANCA3TKR,  OHIO, 

Zanesville,  October  22,  1830. 
Sessions  of  the  Lancaster  Presbytery. 
*'Whereas  repeated  efforts  have  been  made,  and  are  likely  to  be  re- 
newed, intended  to  produce  an  amalgamation  of  the  Assembly's  Board 
of  Missions  and  the  A.  H.  M.  Society;  and  whereas  this  Presbytery  do. 
on  many  accounts,  feel  opposed  to  any  amalg-amation,  which  would 
chang-e  the  principles,  character,  and  responsibility  of  the  Assemblv*s 
Board, — 

Therefore,  Resolved,  1st.  That  "we  deem  any  amalg-amation  of  these 
Boards,  as  unnecessary,  undesirable,  and  highly  inexpedient. 

2d.  That  we  view  with  regret  and  disapprobation,  the  efforts  repeatedly 
made  to  produce  this  amalgamation;  and  hope,  for  the  peace  of  the 
church,  these  efforts  will  be  speedily  discontinued. 

3d.  That  a  copy  of  this  preamble  and  these  resolutions,  be  forwarded 
hy  the  stated  clerk,  for  publication  in  the  Missionary  Reporter." 

'*Tothis  decision,  Messrs.  Miles,  Putnam  and  Whitehead  entered  their 
dissent." 

A  true  extract. 

[Attest.]  jj^MES  CuiBSRTsoir,  Stated  Clerk," 

"RESOLCTIOXS  of  the  PRESBTTERr  OF  STEUBENVILLE,   OHIO. 

Mount  Pleasant,  October  6th,  1830. 
Sessions  of  the  Presbytery  of  Steubenville, 
Resolved,  unanimously,   That  we  view  the   transaction  of  Missionary 
busmess  to  be  especially  the  duty  of  the  church,  in  her  distinctive  cW- 
racter.     That  we  consider  the  present  organization  of  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions of  the  General  Assembly,  as  most  consistent  with  the  order  which 
sliould  be  taken  in  this  matter— and   hope,  that  that  institution  will  con- 
tmue  and  prosper.     That  it  is  most  proper,  that  this  Presbytery  be  aii 
Auxiliary  to  that  Board,"  &c.  &c- 
A  true  extract. 

Chablks  Clistoit  Beatti,  Stated  Clirk,^ 


$%  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

These  formal  and  official  statements  may  serve  to  show  the 
sentiments  entertained  by  the  old  Blues  in  the  west,  and  of 
the  manner  in  which  those  sentiments  have  been,  from  time 
to  time,  expressed  to  the  General  Assembly's  Board.  I  might 
add  to  these  the  resolutions  of  other  Presbyteries,  and  a  num- 
ber of  communications  from  influential  Presbyterians  in  the 
west,  of  about  the  same  import,  but  I  deem  it  unnecessary. 

Now,  in  addition  to  many  other  things,  which  may  be 
said,  and  not  the  least  strange  of  all  others  either,  I  beg  leave 
to  state  that,  this  same  American  Home  Missionary  Society, 
though  planned  by  Congregational  ministers,  was  neverthe- 
less sanctioned  by  some  of  the  greatest  Presbyterian  clergy- 
men in  New-England!  Doctor  Blythe  made,  and  Doctor 
Richards  seconded  the  motion  in  the  first  instance,  for  the 
adoption  of  the  present  constitution  of  the  American  Home. 
Why,  says  the  innocent  reader,  this  is  strange  indeed !  Can 
this  be  true?  And  if  it  be  true,  that  the  Congregationalists 
and  Presbyterians,  were  all  concerned  in  getting  up  this 
society,  why  has  a  civil  war  so  to  speak,  broke  out  among  them 
because  of  the  operations  of  this  society?  Alas!  this  is  the 
proper  question  to  be  asked,  and  the  mystery  to  be  explained. 
Well,  gentle  reader,  I  will  explain  this  whole  matter  to  you 
in  few  words.  And  first:  Doctors  Edwards,  Taylor,  Porter, 
Woods,  and  others  too  numerous  to  mention,  have,  for  years 
past,  desired  to  spread  New-England  theology — alias  New 
School  Divinity — alias  Semi-Infidelity,  through  the  whole 
earth;  and  next,  from  the  very  nature  and  organization  of  the 
General  Assembly's  Board,  they  saw  they  could  not  ac- 
complish their  ends.  Hence,  the  only  alternative  left  them, 
was,  to  organize  the  American  Home,  and  then  to  get  all  the 
domestic  missionary  societies  in  New-England  and  elsewhere, 
together  with  their  auxiliaries,  to  merge  into  the  national 
society;  and  having  all  the  funds  in  their  hands,  and  half  of 
tJie  Presbyterian  clergymen  in  these  United  States  dependant 
on  them  for  a  support,  they  could  soon  make  them  orthodox 
in  their  faith.  The  motives,  therefore,  which  led  to  the 
formation  of  this  society,  were,  as  I  conceive,  of  the  most  cor- 
rupt kind.  And  even  Doctors  Alexander  and  Miller,  and 
others,  of  the  ablest  Presbyterians  in  the  land,  without  scaning 
the  designs  or  foreseeing  the  results,  wrote  in  favor  of  the 
American  Home  Missionary  Society.  ^ 

But,  astheagentsofthisinstitution,  have  visited  ourland  in  its 
length  and  breadth,  every  where  representing  all  denomina- 
tions as  equally  concerned  in,  and  inutually  benefitted  by  its 
operations,  I  think  it  proper  to  state,  that  there  never  were 


OF  PKESBYTBRIAXISM.  S$ 

but  THREE  denominations  connected  with  it,  to  wit:  Congre- 
gationalists,  Presbyterians,  and  Dutch  Reformed— all  strictly 
Calvinistic  too. 

And  these  denominations,  though  Calvinistic,  have  no 
standard  of  doctrines.  Every  man  preaches  what  he  pleases, 
from  rank  Antinomianism,  to  barefaced  Universalism. — 
Hence,  some  of  them  teach  us,  that  ^'sinhad  a  holy  origin;'^ 
others  s^y,  "neither  a  hoi)?"  nor  a  depraved  nature  is  possible;'' 
— others  say,  <'God  is  the  first  cause  and  author  of  all  things;" 
— others  say,  "without  disinterested  benevolence"  we  must 
all  be  lost;" — others  say,  "every  man,  by  a  right  use  of  his 
natural  ability'*  can  save  himself; — others  say,  "Christ died 
only  for  the  elect;" — and  others  tell  us,  that  he  "so  died  for 
all,  that  all  will  be  saved." 

It  is  true,  however,  that  according  to  the  sixth  article  of 
the  constitution,  the  society  ?7ia^  be  composed  of  as  many 
different  denominations  as  there  are  in  the  United  States, 
including  Atheists  and  Deists — for  it  says  expressl}^,  "any 
PERSON  may  become  a  member  of  this  society  by  contributing 
annually  to  its  funds."  Its  officers  and  directors  are  to  be 
annually  appointed  by  the  society,  which  is  thus  formed;  and 
these  officers  and  directors  are  to  appoint  an  ex-committee; 
and  among  the  powers  of  said  committee,  the  following  are 
enumerated  in  the  fourth  article  of  the  constitution — they 
"shall  appoint  missionaries,  and  instruct  them  as  to  the  field 
and  MANNER  of  their  labors;  shall  have  the  disposal  of  the 
funds;  shall  create  such  agency  or  agencies  for  appointing 
missionaries,  and  for  other  purposes,  as  the  interests  of  the 
institution  may  require. "  Indeed !  Wonderful  arrangement 
this!!  And  what  has  been  done  on  this  plan,  or  under  this 
provision?  Why,  two  such  agencies  have  been  established 
in  the  state  of  New- York,  and  one  in  Ohio,  for  the  whole 
valley  of  the  Mississippi,  embracing  more  than  one  third  of 
ihe  population  of  the  Union !  Now,  if  these  features  of  this 
society,  do  not  represent  it  as  dangerous  in  every  respect, 
then  it  is  impossible  for  such  an  institution  to  have  an  exis- 
tence. 

In  one  word,  the  members  of  the  American  Home  Mis- 
sionary Society,  constitute  the  society.  And  the  society  is 
responsible  only  to  itself.  The  like  is  not  to  be  foitnd  in  all 
the  annals  of  common  sense! 

Once  more:  No  man  would  imagine,  without  examining 
the  list  of  appropriations,  pledges,  and  outfits,  that  half  as 
much  money  passed  through  the  hands  of  the  ex-committee 
of  this  Society,  as  really  does.     But  for  reasans  best  known 


g^  HELPS  TO  THE   STUD  T 

to  this  Committee,  in  the  Reports  of  the  last  three  years,  we 
are  not  furnished  with  data  by  which  the  amount  of  outfits 
can  be  accurately  ascertained. 

In  the  Society's  Report  for  1830,  \hG  pledges  given  to  for- 
ty-two missionaries,  for  forty-two  years  service,  exclusive  of 
outfits,  is  found  to  be  the  moderate  sum  of  sixteen  thou- 
sand   AND    EIGHT    HUNDRED    DOLLARS  !  !        Of    these    forty- 

two  missionaries,  eighteen  were  located  in  Ohio»  The 
amount  of  a^id  pledged  to  these  eighteen  men,  was  the  mod- 
erate sum  of  SEVEN  THOUSAND  AND  TWO  HUNDRED  DOL- 
LARS!!! This,  too,  was  exclusive  of  their  outfits,  which 
amounted  to  eight  hundred  and  eighty  dollars!  The 
above  exposition,  is  only  given  as  3.speci77ien  oi  the  transac- 
tions of  this  Society,  so  far  as  money  matters  are  concerned. 

I  wili  now  disclose  an  important  fact,  which  at  least,  is  not 
generally  known  in  East  Tennessee.     It  is  this: — Almost 
every  young  Hopkinsian  preacher  settled  in  the  bounds  of 
the  East  Tennessee  Synod,  having  a  school,   with  one  small 
•congregation  or  more,  receives  at  present,  or  has  received,  a 
certain  stipulated  sum  of  money   from  this  Society,  for  his 
labors   as  a  home  missionary.     And  at  the  same  time  they 
are  getting  this  money,    they  either  by  the  suppress^ion  of 
truth,  ort;he  expression  oi  falsehood,  make  the  impressioji 
upon  the  minds  of  the  people,  that  their  schools  and  congre- 
gations are  their  only  means  of  a  support.     And  this  system 
of  disguised  villainy,  is  carried  on  to  a  greater  or  less  ex- 
tent, in  the   bounds  of  all  those   Synods  and   Presbyteries 
which  favor  the  American  Home.     And  in  some  instances, 
money  has  been  collected  for  the  Foreign  Board,  or  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly's  Board,  and   afterwards  appropriated  to  the 
American  Home !     I  was  once  an  eye  witness  to  a  transaction 
of  this  kind;  and  I  intend,  in  another  part  of  this  work,   to 
exhibit  this  case  in  its  true  light.     This  may  be  an  American 
association,  but  so  far  as  its  constitution  goes,  it  is  certainly 
very  unlike  the  society  to  which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has 
committed  the  management  of  Christian  Missions.     And  the 
above  proceedings  may  be  in  strict  accordance  with  Preshy- 
terianism;  but  they  are  certainly  at  war  with  that  system  of 
Gospel  truth,  which  forbids  lying  and  stealing;  unless  it  can 
be  made  appear,  that  ^^the  truth  of  God  did  more  abound 
thi*ough  their  lie." 

This  society  has  now  been  in  existence  just  long  enough  ta 
see  its  ninth  anniversary.  Its  design,  according  to  the  con- 
stitution, is,  to  send  missionaries  to  labor  in  the  ^ ^destitute 
regions''  in  the  United  States.     And  what  regions  are  desti- 


01?  PRESBYTEIHANISM.  85 

lute?  I  answer,  all  those  regions  in  which  Calvinists  do  not 
possess  a  lordly  pre-eminence.  And  who  are  home  mission- 
aries? Why,  every  one  of  these  little  college-bred  chaps  and 
theological  scavengers,  who  are  without  regular  salaries,  or 
other  means  of  a  support.  In  the  west,  we  are  miserably 
infested  with  these  missionaries,  who  go  prowling  and  skulk- 
ing about  through  our  country,  from  one  rich  neighborhood 
to'another,  making  proselytes  and  begging  money.  And  all 
who  do  not  approach  these  wandering  stars  with  wide-spread, 
and  well  replenished  pocket  books,  are  looked  upon  as  niggards 
and  infidels,  and  enemies  to  God.  They  have  crowded  in 
upon  us  till  our  country  is  literally  overrun  with  them,  and 
our  citizens  almost  begged  to  death.  Request  one  of  these 
pious  youths  to  sing  you  ^^one  of  the  songs  of  Zion,'^  and  he 
will  condescend  graciously,  to  even  <^sing  the  Lord's  song  in 
a  strange  land;"  but  the  chorus  will  he  mo  net/!  money!! 
MONEY!!!  And  can  there  be  any  doubt,  but  what  they 
are  guided  by  sordid  views  of  interest,  instead  of  a  generous 
love  of  truth,  or  a  desire  to  save  souls?  And  is  not  the  bulk 
of  their  time  spent  in  trying  to  invent  new,  and  improved 
patent  triggers,  for  their  national  gull-traps?  And  with  these 
men,  and  the  denominations  which  send  them  out  on  such 
expeditions,  is  not  tnoney  3ind  2J0wer  the  great  concern? 

To  conclude:  It  is  time  for  us  to  take  an  alarm  at  the  state 
of  things  which  already  exist— yea,  as  American  citizens,  it 
is  but  prudent  jealousy  for  us  to  be  on  our  guard,  as  were  our 
forefathers,  previous  to  the  dark  days  of  the  revolution. 
Our  forefathers  did  not  w^ait  until  Great  Britain  had  riveted 
her  yoke  on  their  necks  by  laws  and  standing  armies — but 
seeing  all  the  consequences  in  the  bills  of  taxation  laid  before 
the  British  Parliament,  they  denied  the  principle  on  which 
the  bills  were  founded;  and  by  thus  denying  the  first  princi- 
ples they  avoided  the  disastrous  consequences  which  must 
have  ensued.  And  if,  as  American  citizens,  we  wish  to 
retain  our  liberties,  we  must,  in  the  outset,  refuse  to  contribute 
our  money  to  the  support  of  these  societies.  For  it  is  plain 
to  be  seen,  that  the-  accumulation  of  so  much  money,  for  such 
purposes,  is  the  first  step  to  the  establishment  of  a  rich 
church,  a  proud,  pompous  and  tithing  ministry;  which  have 
m  all  countries  heretofore,  for  upwards  of  fifteen  hundred 
years,  oppressed  mankind  and  seized  from  their  labor,  a  com- 
fortable support  for  a  lazy,  blind,  bigoted,  corrupt  and  perse- 
cuting priesthood. 

I  refer  you  reader,  to  the  history  of  France,  of  Spain,  and 
more  recently,  of  England  and  Ireland,  for  instances  of  thq 
li 


86  HELPS  TO  THE   STUDY 

effects  of  the  priesthood  living  and  moving  and  having  their 
being  in  vs^ealih.  But  what  was  the  condition  of  the  colonies 
in  this  country  before  the  revolution?  Why,  the  tenth  calf, 
pig,  colt,  lamb,  chicken,  duck,  turkey,  &c.  or  50,000  pounds 
of  tobacco  were  taken  from  the  industrious  farmers  by  the 
titheman,  to  support  the  Presbyterian  and  Congregational 
clergymen,  then  in  holy  orders.  And  the  Hopkinsian  minis- 
try, so  late  as  1826,  even  in  East  Tennessee,  attempted  to 
revive  this  odious  tithing  system.  They  advocated  its  claims 
both  from  the  pulpit  and  the  press;  telling  their  people  in  the 
mean  time,  that  unless  they  would  give  liberally,  the  Lord 
would  neither  prosper  them  here,  nor  save  them  hereafter ! 
And  it  was  not  till  then,  that  their  members  learned  why  it 
was,  they  had  incorporated  into  their  system  of  theology,  the 
doctrine  of  disinterested  benevolence!  The  preaching  of 
this  doctrine  is  always  ominous  of  a  call  for  money:  it  is  all 
priestcraft,  and  an  invention  contrived  and  carried  on  by 
Calvinistic  priests,  for  their  own  power  and  profit.  And  I 
say  unto  all,  resist  them ! 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  AMERICAN  BIBLE  SOCIETY ITS  RISE    AND    PROGRESS — 

IMPRUDENT  CONDUCT  OF  SOME  OF  ITS  AGENTS THE  WHOLE 

SOCIETY  LIABLE  TO  BE  ABUSED,    &C. 

What!  the  courteous  reader  is  ready  to  ask,  will  any  one 
oppose  a  Bible  Society?  Or,  will  any  one  oppose  the  circu- 
lation of  the  Scriptures  ^*without  note  or  comment?"  I  hope 
not.  At  least,  I  hope  never  to  see  a  Christian,  in  any  way 
whatever,  arrayed  against  the  Bible.  For  one,  at  least,  I  am 
determined,  never  to  be  found  in  opposition  to  the  Scriptures; 
nor  yet,  to  the  organization  of  Bible  societies,  let  them  be 
formed  by  whom  they  may:  provided  nevertheless,  they  are 
established  upon  principles  any  where  in  the  neighborhood  of 
moral  honesty.  Indeed  why  should  I?  Man,  the  creature 
of  a  moment,  is  destined  to  live  forever.  He  stands  trembling 
on  the  very  verge  of  eternity,  and  must  soon  land  in  heaven 
or  hell.  How  important,  then,  that  he  be  instructed  in  the 
way  to  happiness!  But  how  is  he  to  learn  the  way?  To 
what  source  of  information  must  he  fly,  as  an  infallible  guide 
to  happiness  and  heaven.?  I  answer,  to  the  Bible — to  the 
book  of  God.     And  1  add,  there  is  no  other  book  in  this  wide 


OF    PRBSB  YTER1ANI8M.  87 

world,  beside  the  Bible,  in  which  we  find  either  a  satisfactory 
idea  of  our  Maker,  or  the  manner  in  which  he  should  be 
worshipped.  It  is  the  Bible  only,  which  teaches  us,  both  that 
God  is,  and  that  «'he  is  a  rewarder  of  them  who  diligently 
seek  him. "     And  with  more  truth  than  ever  it  may  be  said : — 

"This  sacred  book,  from  heaven  bestow'd, 

The  apostate  world  to  bless, 
A  light  to  mark  the  pilgrim's  road. 


I  would  not  let  this  volume  lie 

Neglected  and  unknown, 
For  it  must  raise  me  to  the  sky, 

Or  bear  my  spirit  down. 

This  book  reveals  a  Saviour's  charms. 

And  life  and  light  restores. 
Secures  my  soul  from  death's  alarms, 

Or  aggravates  my  woes." 

How  great  and  untiring,  then,  should  our  efforts  be  to  dis- 
tribute this  invaluable  treasure!  Should  we  not  go  forth,  in 
this  glorious  enterprize,  with  all  the  ardor  of  exertion,  and  all 
the  liveliness  of  Christian  feeling?  But  time  would  fail  me 
to  tell  of  the  general  advantages,  as  to  matters  of  both  faith 
and  practice,  which  are  derived  from  the  Holy  f?criptures. 

Of  all  the  modern  efforts  to  illuminate  the  world,  Bible 
societies  hold  a  high,  if  not  the  first  place.  Such  particular 
societies,  with  particular  objects,  are  excellent.  Still,  they 
shouldjbe  carefully,  economically,  and  vigorously  prosecuted; 
and  then,  not  only  will  good  be  done  by  a  great  and  univer- 
sal move,  but  good  feeling  and  fellowship  will  be  produced 
among  Christians  of  every  name.  Almost  every  Christian 
nation  has  a  Bible  society.  The  British  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society  is  the  oldest,  most  efficient  and  extensive.  This  so- 
ciety had  printed  previous  to  January,  1816,  640,700  Bibles, 
and  830,432  testaments,  besides  25,000  Bibles  and  50,000 
testaments  purchased  on  that  continent.  The  expenditures  of 
the  society  at  that  time,  in  eleven  years,  the  length  of  time  it 
had  been  in  existence,  was  1,549,300  dollars.  And,  at  the 
early  period  of  1816,  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
had  assisted  in  printing  the  Bible  in  sixty-three  different  lan- 
guages. At  so  early  a  date  as  1 8 1 6,  there  were,  in  the  United 
States,  129  Bible  societies.  And  there  are,  at  this  time,  double 
that  number  in  America;  nor  would  I  say  too  much,  if  I 
were  to  assert,  that  there  are  now,  three  times  that  number. 

With  regard  to  the  origin  of  the  American  Bible  Society, 
I  have  to  say,  it  was  organized  in  the  city  of  New- York,  ia 


8S  h:bi.ps  to  the  stitbt 

1816,  by  delegates  from  local  Bible  societies,  in  various  parts 
of  America.  A  board  of  managers,  consisting  of  thirty- 
six  laymen,  were  appointed,  to  whom  was  entrusted  the 
management  of  the  society;  measures  were  then  taken  by 
the  board,  to  procure  stereotyped  plates,  and  to  prepare  Bibles 
and  testaments  at  a  low  rate,  for  gratuitous  distribution  among 
the  poor  and  destitute.  This  institution,  has  now  been  in 
successful  operation  nearly  eighteen  years.  Since  its  com- 
mencement, it  has  issued  one  million  five  hundred  and 
thirty-three  thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty-eight  copies 
of  Bibles  and  testaments,  in  seven  different  languages.  From 
the  report  of  1833,  it  will  be  seen,  that  during  that  year,  it 
issued  ninety-one  thousand  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight 
Bibles  and  testaments.  The  number  of  Bibles  and  testaments 
issued  during  this  year,  was,  according  to  the  society's  report, 
ninety-one  thousand  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight.  The 
amount  expended  during  the  same  year,  was,  eighty -six 
thousand,  three  hundred  and  sixty -two  dollars! 

So  it  will  be  seen,  that  by  the  time  the  salaries  of  local  and 
travelling  agents,  clerks,  &c.  are  paid  by  this  institution,  its 
publications  cost  the  community  nearly  as  much,  per  copy, 
as  they  would  do,  were  they  to  purchase  them  from  the  differ- 
ent book  stores  in  our  country.  Still,  they  boast  of  the  cheap- 
ness of  their  publications !  Too  much  of  the  people's  money 
is,  in  this  vyay,  given  to  these  agents,  clerks,  &c.  And  this, 
with  me,  is  a  weighty  objection  against  the  A.  B.  Society. 
And  according  to  the  above  calculation,  the  American  Bible 
Society,  is  certainly  a  very  expensive  concern  to  the  com- 
munity. 

As  it  regards  the  American  Bible  Society,  so  long  as  it 
circulates  the  Holy  Scriptures,  "without  NOTE  OR  COMMENT," 
no  church  can  sustain  an  injury  by  its  action;  and  I  believe 
that  the  constitution  of  this  society  could  be  so  altered  and 
arranged  as  to  bring  every  religious  denomination  heartily 
to  its  aid,  and  unite  every  Bible  society  in  our  country  in  a 
truly  laudable  enterprise. 

But  some  important  alterations,  both  in  its  constitution 
and  j}olicy\)  must  be  made  before  this  can,  or  at  least  will  be 
done.  For  I  assert,  that  under  the  provisions  of  its  consti- 
tution, any  sect,  having  money  enough,  can  take  charge  of  it, 
and  control  its  operations  as  they  may  think  proper  to  do. 
And,  asproof  of  this,  permit  me  to  say,  that  Presbyterians  and 
Congregationalists,  have  almost  the  entire  control  of  the  so- 
ciety at  this  time,  and  have  had  from  its  commencement. 
But  much  is  said  about  furnishing  the  poor  with  Bibles, 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM 


89 


through  the  instrumentality  of  this  society.  And  it  is  asked, 
who  will  say  that  it  is  wrong  to  solicit  pecuniary  aid  for  such 
a  benevolent  purpose?  I  do  not  say,  that  this  would  be  wrong. 
But.l  do  say  that  it  is  wrong — a  crime  of  no  small  magni- 
tude— to  solicit  money  for  a  declared  purpose,  and  then  never 
apply  it  to  that  p-irpose. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  officers  and  managers,  with  the 
delegates,  &c.  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  in  May,  1833, 
granted  to  the  American  board  of  commissioners,  for  Foreign 
Missions,  the  moderate  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars!! 
During  the  same  year,  and  at  the  same  meeting,  the  society 
granted  to  the  Baptist  General  Convention  in  the  United 
States,  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars! 

And  it  will  not  be  denied,  but  that  the  society  has  been  in 
the  constant  practice  of  making  these  or  similar  donations 
from  the  beginning,  although  some  individual  members  of 
the  board  of  managers  have  objected  to  it.  But,  it  will,  per- 
haps, be  urged,  that  these  appropriations  have  greatly  aided 
these  missionary  societies  in  doing  good  in  other  lands;  and 
that  all  we  aim  at  is,  to  do  good  to  the  souls  of  men.  But  is 
this  applying  the  money  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  col- 
lected? And  would  it  not  be  less  exceptionable  lor  each 
missionary  society  to  furnish  itself  from  its  ownfundsy  than 
it  is  for  the  American  Bible  Society  to  devote  any  portion  of 
its  funds  directly  for  those  objects?  Certainly  it  would.'  For, 
the  furnishing  of  missionary  societies,  which  are  purely  de- 
nominational in  their  character,  unless  it  distribute  its  dona- 
tions equally  among  all  sects,  may,  and  must  hazard  its 
reputation  as  a  strictly  national,  and  exclusively  Bible  so- 
ciety; and  it  is  plain  to  be  seen,  that  so  far  as  a  missionary  is 
aided  in  his  peculiar  work  by  the  liberality  of  the  American 
Bible  Society,  so  far  the  denomination  to  which  he  belongs 
is  favored  above  others.  Perhaps,  but  ^qw,  of  the  many 
Arminians  who  daily  contribute  to  the  support  of  this  insti- 
tution, are  aware  of  the  fact,  that  their  money  is  to  be  used 
in  this  way — to  aid  the  cause  of  Calvinism. 

Again:  It  is  wicked  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  that  too,  in  the 
highest  degree,  to  obtain  money  for  the  support  of  any  insti- 
tution, by  falsehood  and  misrepresentation.  Well,on  the  23d 
page  of  the  twelfth  annual  report  of  the  American  Bible 
Society,  for  1828,  speaking  of  the  progress  of  the  Bible  cause 
in  Tennessee,  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Blount 
county  Bible  society,  writes  that  they  had  "commenced  ex- 
jpl6ring;"  that  *'ten  captains^  companies  had  been  visited;'' 
thatin  G94  families  187  were  found to^be  ^Hotally  destitute^' 
h2 


•2  liELPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

the  above-mentioned  conduct,  to  which  he  replied  as  fol- 
lows: 

«<New  York,  13th  Feb,,  1832. 

Dear  Sir: — In  answer  to  your  letter  of  the  26th  January, 
I  have  to  say  that  in  Oct.  1S30,  the  Managers  of  this  Soci- 
ety, made  to  the  Macon  County  Bible  Society,  a  donation 
or  grant  of  500  Bibles  for  gratuitous  distribution,  to  ena- 
ble them  to  supply  the  families  of  that  county,  who  were 
destitute,  with  a  copy  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  each.  We 
never  interfere  with  Local  Societies,  as  to  the  manner  in 
which  they  effect  their  general  instructions.  I  trust,  my 
dear  sir,  that  in  effecting  this  most  delightful  work  in  your 
country,  there  will  be  no  misunderstanding  among  the  friends 
of  the  Bible. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

JOHN  NITCHIE.'' 

Now  I  ask  the  candid  reader,  if  selling  Bibles  and  Tes- 
taments for  *<common  trade,  or  even  for  cash,  at  any  price 
whatever,  can  be  considered  a  ^^clonation^^  or  the  "'gratuit- 
ous distribution'^  of  them?  And  I  would  also  ask  the  impar- 
tial reader,  if  the  community  at  large,  had  not  better  with- 
hold their  support  from  an  Institution  which  has  officially 
acknowledged  that  it  will  not  <*interfere  with  Local  Societies, 
as  to  the  manner  in  which  they  effect  their  general  instruc- 
tions," although  this  same  Institution,  caused  these  Local  So- 
cieties to  be  formed,  and  has  been  apprised  of  their  improper 
conduct? 

Last  of  all :  The  constant  practice  of  the  agents, and  friends 
Qi  the  American  Bible  Society,  in  representing  all  other  de- 
nominations  as  equally  concerned  in  the  support  and  man- 
agement of  the  Institution,  is  highly  exceptionable — not  to 
say  wicked.  Take  for  instance,  the  following  paragraph 
from  a  letter  of  Dr.  Ely's,  published  in  the  Philadelphian, 
for  Oct.  14,  1831: — <*The  American  Bible  Society,  is  sup- 
ported by  all  classes  of  persons  in  our  countr}^,  who  believe 
the  Bible  is  the  divinely  inspired  record  of  God's  revelations 
to  man;  except  a  few^  high  church  Episcopalians  who  would 
never  give  or  sell  God's  word  without  a  prayer  book,  of  hu- 
man  invention  attached  to  it;  and  the  Roman  Catholics 
who  countenance  nothing  in  English,  but  a  bad  translation 
of  the  Latin  Vulgate!" 

The  above,  is  a  fair  specimen  of  the  Boctor^s  accurac7/f 
in  collecting  and  presenting  facts.  Reader,  look  at  this  mat- 
ter, and  decide  for  yourself,  and  say,  whether  the  Doctor  can 
apply  to  himself  the  words  of  &  certain  historian: — "This  is 


OF  PEESBTTERIANISM.  9^ 

the  disciple  which  testifieth  of  these  things;  and  wrote  these 
things;  and  we  know  that  his  testimony  is  true.''  In  one 
word,  the  foregoing  extract,  contains  an  iiisinuation,  subtil- 
ly  conducting  the  reader  to  an  inference,  incorrect  and  inju- 
rious to  the  Bible  Societies  of  other  denominations. 

The  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  in 
relation  to  the  '^classes"  by  whom  the  A.  B.  Society  is  ^'sup- 
ported,"  is  summarily  contained  and  comprehensively  ex- 
pressed, in  the  following  letter,  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Bangs. 
I  give  the  letter  the  more  cheerfully,  first,  because  it  will 
tend  to  correct  the  statements  of  the  agents  of  the  A.  B.  So-- 
ciety:  and  next,  because  it  will  go  to  show,  that  Dr.  Bangs 
is  not  that  enemy  to  this  Institution,  he  is  represented  to  be. 
^^New  York,  March  17,  1834. 

My  Dear  Brother: — -In  answer  to  yours  of  the  3d  inst., 
I  have  to  say,  that  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  American 
Bible  Society,  consists  of  36  lawmen  belonging  to  different 
denominations,  Presbyterians,  Protestant  Episcopalians,  Bap- 
tists and  Methodists — and  formerly  there  were  two  or  more 
Quakers,  but  I  think  none  of  that  sect  now.  There  are  three 
Methodists,  but  the  majority  are  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  as  the  Protestant  Episcopalians  da  not  generally 
give  into  it.  Besides  these  elected  laymen,  there  are  many 
clergymen,  of  different  denominations,  who  are  ex-officio 
members  of  the  board,  by  their  having  been  made  life  mem- 
bers of  the  society.  I  believe  this  society  is  actuated  by 
very  liberal  principles,  and  is  doing  much  good.  We  never 
have  any  disposition  here  to  make  war  upon  it. 

AVishing  you  much  peace  and  great  success  in  the  Gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ, 

I  am  yours  affectionately, 

N.  Bangs. 

Hev.  W.  G.  Broiimlow.'' 

In  the  preceding  remarks,  I  have  not  adverted  to  the  par- 
ticular intimacy  existing  between  this  society,  and  that  of  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union.  But  having  received  the 
New  York  Evangelist,  of  May  10,  1834,  a  Presbyterian  pa- 
per, since  writing  the  above,  in  which  I  find  a  brief  notice  of 
XhQ  eighteenth  Anniversary  of  the  A.  B.  Society,  I  will  give, 
some  few  particulars.  From  this  abstract  of  the  ISth  Annu- 
al report,  it  seems  that  2,000  testaments  have  been  given  to 
the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  for  the  use  of  schools 
in  the  Western  States!  and  5,Q00  more  for  the  same  purpose 
in  the  Southern  States! !  Besides  this,  it  seems  that  a  vast 
amount  of  Bibles,  testaments,  andMOifEYj  have  been  granted 


Q^  HEl^S   TO  THE   STUDY 

for  foreign  distributions;  and  that  the  Society's  pledges, 
mentioned  in  the  former  report,  have  all  been  redeemed. 
The  amount  of  money  received  from  all  sources,  during  the 
year  ending  May,  1834,  is  ^88,600  82;  of  which  sum,  Isi,- 
052  34,  were  from  the  ^a/e  of  books;  ^21,891  80  '^ordinary 
donations ! ! "  A  queer  species  oi giving  this !  Query?  Were 
these  ^^ordinary  donations''^  intended  for  the  use  and  sup- 
port of  the  Sunday  School  Union;  or  were  they  intended  for 
the  use  and  support  of  Foreign  Missions  and  Calvinistic 
preachers?  Or,  if  you  please,  were  they  intended  for  the 
American  Bible  Society?  In  vain  may  this  Institution  boast 
of  sending  the  scriptures  abroad,  "without  note  or  com- 
ment,'' while  it  sends  with  them,  Calvinistic  comment a- 
to7's! 

.  I  submit  the  foregoing  statements  and  letters,  to  the  read- 
er. Let  him  examine  them,  and  decide  for  himself.  If  he 
be  an  upright,  candid,  honorable  man — if  he  have  a  spark  of 
independence  in  his  composition — if  he  have  no  sectarian 
collar  about  his  neck — he  will  say  that  all  is  not  right  in  Den- 
mark? There  is  a  mystery  hanging  about  this  affair,  which 
time  alone  can  develope.  That  the  Presbyterians  should,  so 
manage,  in  the  organization  of  all  the  National  Societies,  as 
to  get  a  majority  of  Managers  in  each  Board,  even  where 
their  Church  is  not  the  most  numerous,  is  so  contrary  to  what 
might  be  expected,  as  to  be  almost  inexplicable.  Some  may 
feel  a  backwardness  in  hazarding  an  opinion  or  conjecture  on 
the  subject,  especially  when  the  Bible  Society  is  concerned; 
but  for  my  own  part,  I  confess,  I  feel  no  such  backwardness. 
Tame  acquiescence  on  the  part  of  other  denominations,  will 
not  do.  Let  the  Presbyterians  once  enslave  us,  as  they  are 
aiming  to  do,  and  we  may  whine,  and  scold,  and  murmur,  and 
wince,  and  threaten,  and  beseech  them  to  condescend,  gra- 
ciously to  have  mercy  on  us,  but  it  will  all  be  to  no  purpose. 
They  will  laugh  at  our  calamity,  and  wag  their  heads  and 
mock,  seeing  our  fear  has  come,  ^c.  It  is  matter  of  rejoic- 
ing, however,  that  so  far,  the  operations  of  all  the  national 
societies  have  been  impeded,  and  to  a  greater  or  less  extent, 
embarrassed  by  the  action  of  other  Churches. 

In  eonclusion,  I  again  say,  I  am  not  opposed  to  Bible 
societies.  My  daily  prayer  to  God,  is,  that  the  blessed  pe- 
riod may  speedily  revolve,  when  the  empire  of  Christianity 
shall  have  monopolized  the  universe;  and  when  the  bible,  the 
greatest  and  best  of  books,  shall  be  more  highly  appreciated, 
its  harmony  perceived,  its  superiority  acknowledged,  and  its 
energy  felt  by  every  human  soul  in  this  wide  world.  When^ 


OF    PB£SB  YTERIAKlSM.  95 

therefore,  we  see  an  opening  for  Bibles  in  any  heathen  coun- 
try, let  us  show  our  zeal  to  supply  the  lack.  And  while,  by 
our  exertions  to  circulate  the  Bible,  we  declare  our  faitli  in 
it  as  the  word  of  God,  let  us  see  to  it,  that  our  hearts  and 
lives  are  conformed  to  its  precepts.  Then  may  we  as  Chris- 
tians, fight  the  battles  of  the  Lord  successfully.  Then  may 
we, 

<*Meetthe  sons  of  nig-ht, 
And  mock  their  vain  design." 


CHAPTER  XL 

The    AMERICAN     EDUCATION    SOCIETY — ITS  RISE    AND    PRO* 
GRESS ITS  PRINCIPLES,  &C. 

Education  itself,  in  its  most  broad  and  general  significa- 
tion, comprehending  all  the  physical,  intellectual,  and  moral 
training,  by  which  a  man  is  prepared  in  life,  for  the  duties 
thereof,  I  need  not  here  speak  of.  Its  great  importance,  and 
its  immediate  relations  to  the  improvement  and  happiness  of 
mankind,  will  not  be  doubted  by  any,  but  the  ignorant  and 
dissolute.  And  that  the  future  prosperity,  and  even  stability 
of  our  religious  and  political  system,  to  a  considerable  extent 
at  least,  depends  upon  the  progress  of  education  among  us, 
will  not  be  denied.  Before  the  introduction  of  Grecian 
books  and  scholars  among  the  Romans,  which  followed  the 
conquest  of  Macedonia,  as  the  wisest  of  their  writers  ac- 
knowledge, their  country  and  language  were  essentially  bar- 
barous— their  citizens  were  warlike  and  illiterate.  Grecian 
literature  and  arts,  in  less  than  one  century,  repaired  the 
ravages  of  Alexander's  wars.  During  the  dark  ages,  a  rem- 
nant of  literatui  e,  so  to  speak,  preserved  the  little  knowledge 
and  refinement  which  survived  the  ruins  of  the  Roman  em- 
pire. And  throughout  the  whole  progress  of  modern  litera- 
ture, from  its  dawn  to  its  present  comparative  state  of  perfec- 
tion, it  has  been  the  liberal  benefactor  of  mankind.  It  is 
true,  the  revival  of  learning,  which  followed  the  reformation, 
infidels  vainly  hoped  would  be  the  destruction  of  Christianity; 
but  it  has  proved  to  be  one  of  her  warmest  and  most  efficient 
friends.  Science,  indeed,  is  purifying  Christianity  from  the 
absurdities  connected  with  her  in  the  dark  ages;  and  refined, 
like  gold  from  the  crucible,  she  is  coming  forth  to  glorious 
triumph.     I  haye  long  believed  that  the  general  prevalence  of 


96  fitElPS  TO  THE  STVDIr 

education^  or  the  improvement  of  the  mind  in  naturd  and 
moral  sciences,  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  our  race,  both 
as  it  regards  their  civil  and  religious  welfare,  or  even  domestic 
happiness.  Ignorance  never  produced  one  item  of  felicity  to 
any  mafi;  the  opinions  of  the  Roman  Catholics  and  Baptists 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  And  as  man  is  not  born 
with  innate  ideas,  all  the  knowledge  he  possesses  must  be 
acquired — if  you  please  Z)orro?^;e^.  However,  observation, 
conversation,  reflection,  experience,  or  reading,  must  each 
or  all  be  used  as  the  means  of  acquiring  knowledge.  But 
knowledge  must  be  had.  Without  knowledge  men  cannot  be 
of  much  use  to  the  world.  To  attain  unto  it  they  must  give 
themselves  to  study.  Let,  therefore,  education  societies  be 
formed;  let  colleges  and  seminaries  be  erected;  and  let  every 
possible  lawful  means  be  used  to  instruct  the  ignorant,  and  to 
promote  the  cause  of  education,  in  every  clime  and  country. 
But  always  let  the  leading  objects,  and  principal  designs,  to- 
gether with  the  distinctive  peculiarities  and  sectarian  princi- 
ples of  every  society,  institution,  or  enterprise,  be  set  forth 
without  any  sort  of  disguise. 

The  American  Education  Society,  was  organized  in  the 
year  1816,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  and  has  just  issued  its 
eighteenth  annual  report.  This  is  an  extensive  and  efficient 
society,  intended  solely  for  the  extension  of  the  w^ork  of 
nationalizing  i\iQ  affairs  of  the  United  States,  under  the  care 
and  control  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Congregational  churches. 
its  avowed  object,  however,  is  to  convert  young  men,  and 
prepare  them  for  the  vvork  of  the  ministry,  in  the  destitute 
parts  of  America. 

During  the  past  year,  113  young  men  have  been  supported 
by  this  society,  in  theological  seminaries;  433  in  colleges: 
and  366  in  academies  and  public  schools;  making  in  all  912. 
As  many  as  60  beneficiaries  have  been  licensed  to  preach  dur- 
ing the  past  year,  b)^  this  society.  Some  of  them  have  settled 
in  the  ministry,  with  large  salaries;  others  of  them  have 
visited  the  <*far  west,'^  in  the  service  of  the  Home  Mission- 
ary Society;  others  are  engaged  as  secretaries  and  agents  for 
the  different  national  societies.  From  the  treasurer's  report, 
it  appears  that  the  receipts  of  the  society  for  the  past  year, 
have  been  ^57,122  20;  nearly  eleven  thousand  dollars  greater 
than  in  any  preceding  year.  The  expenditures  of  the  so- 
ciety during  the  year,  have  been  ^55,861  26.  And  still, 
the  society  is  reported  as  being^5,225  71  in  debt! 

Remarks. — The  two  principal  objections  raised  against 
this  society  are,  first,  its  not  recognizing  fully  a  Divine  call 


or  PRESBTTEUIANISM.  97 

to  Ihe  ministry;  and  secondly,  its  intimate  connexion  with 
the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  making  thereby  an 
important  link  in  the  great  chain  of  operations  in  the  Presby- 
terian and  Congregational  churches. 

It  is  proper,  then,  that  the  reader  should  understand  dis- 
tinctly, that  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  recognizes  more 
clearly  than  the  report  of  this  society,  the  Divine  call  to  the 
ministry.  She  believes  that  every  true  minister  is  "moved 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  preach  the  Gospel,"  and  that  this  call 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  ought  to  be  prior  to  a  special  preparation 
for  the  ministry.  In  a  word,  she  believes  that  the  church 
should  educate  all  her  youth,  and  that  God  should  then  be  al- 
lowed the  liberty  of  calling  from  among  them,  such  as  he 
may  think  best  calculated  for  the  work. 

But  this  society  is  saying  too  much,  when  it  asserts  that  a 
Divine  call  to  the  ministry,  is  not  of  greater  importance  than 
an  accomplished  education,  or  that  no  man  can  be  a  successful 
minister  of  the  cross,  without  the  ability  to  read  the  Scrip- 
tures in  their  own  dialect.     The  names  of  many  a  burning 
light  of  the  church,  through  every  age  of  her  eventful  history, 
beam  forth  in  glorious  refutation  of  so  base  a  falsehood.     The 
truth  is,  that  there  is  an  immense  range  of  theological  knowl- 
edge in  our  language,  generally  neglected  by  the  Presbyterian 
clergy,  and  sometimes  by  even  the  Biblical  critic.     Were 
these  clergymen  to  pass  through  this  field  oftener  than  they 
do,  they  might  occupy  a  position  in  the  varied  departments  of 
the  church,  fully  as  important  and  as  useful  as  that  they  have 
derived  from  the  study  of  the  ancient  languages.     The  minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel  may,  and  should,  indeed,  make  the  whole 
intellectual    v/orld   tributary  to  his  purpose.     Indeed,   the 
wider  the  sweep  of  his  studies,  the  more  large  will  be  his 
resources,  the  more  liberal  his  views,  and  as  a  universally 
probable  consequence,  the  more  effective  his  efforts.     But  in 
this,  in  all  this,  the  Presbyterian  clergy  too  generally,  are 
shamefully  deficient,  notwithstanding  their  boasted  preten- 
sions, and  insulting  consciousness  of  superiority,  as  daily 
manifested  by  their  conduct. 

But  this  society,  like  most  of  the  national  societies,  is  in- 
consistent with  the  rights  of  human  nature,  and  especially 
with  the  rights  oi  freemen',  it  is  unreasonable,  and  contrary 
to  the  spirit  and  precepts  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  ini- 
quitous and  unjust  in  all  its  operations.  Fellow-citizens,  is 
it  so,  that  we  must  be  gulled  out  of  our  money  and  influence, 
and  thus  forced  to  aid  in  propagating  tlie  doctrines  of  John 
Calvin,  and  his  crazy  adherents !  Must  we  bow  to  those,  who 
I 


96  fitElPs  'TO  *tn%  sTVat 

education^  or  the  improvement  of  the  mind  in  natufdl  and 
moral  sciences,  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  our  race,  both 
as  it  regards  their  civil  and  religious  welfare,  or  even  domestic 
happiness.  Ignorance  never  produced  one  item  of  felicity  to 
an^  ma6;  the  opinions  of  the  Roman  Catholics  and  Baptists 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  And  as  man  is  not  born 
with  innate  ideas,  all  the  knowledge  he  possesses  must  be 
acqnired — if  you  please  5orro?^eG?.  However,  observation, 
conversation,  reflection,  experience,  or  reading,  must  each 
or  all  be  used  as  the  means  of  acquiring  knowledge.  But 
knowledge  must  be  had.  Without  knowledge  men  cannot  be 
of  much  use  to  the  world.  To  attain  unto  it  they  must  give 
themselves  to  study.  Let,  therefore,  education  societies  be 
formed;  let  colleges  and  seminaries  be  erected;  and  let  every 
possible  lawful  means  be  used  to  instruct  the  ignorant,  and  to 
promote  the  cause  of  education,  in  every  clime  and  country. 
But  always  let  the  leading  objects,  and  principal  designs,  to- 
gether with  the  distinctive  peculiarities  and  sectarian  princi- 
ples of  every  society,  institution,  or  enterprise,  be  set  forth 
without  any  sort  of  disguise. 

The  American  Education  Society,  was  organized  in  the 
year  1816,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  and  has  just  issued  its 
eighteenth  annual  report.  This  is  an  extensive  and  efficient 
society,  intended  solely  for  the  extension  of  the  work  of 
nationalizing  ih.e  affairs  of  the  United  States,  under  the  care 
and  control  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Congregational  churches. 
Its  avowed  object,  however,  is  to  convert  young  men,  and 
prepare  them  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  in  the  destitute 
parts  of  America. 

During  the  past  year,  113  young  men  have  been  supported 
by  this  society,  in  theological  seminaries;  433  in  colleges : 
and  366  in  academies  and  public  schools;  making  in  all  912. 
As  many  as  60  beneficiaries  have  been  licensed  to  preach  dur- 
ing the  past  year,  b}^  this  society.  Some  of  them  have  settled 
in  the  ministry,  with  large  salaries;  others  of  them  have 
visited  the  *'far  west,'^  in  the  service  of  the  Home  Mission- 
ary Society;  others  are  engaged  as  secretaries  and  agents  for 
the  different  national  societies.  From  the  treasurer's  report, 
it  appears  that  the  receipts  of  the  society  for  the  past  year, 
have  been  ^57, 122  20 ;  nearly  eleven  thousand  dollars  greater 
than  in  any  preceding  year.  The  expenditures  of  the  so- 
ciety during  the  year,  have  been  ^55,861  26.  And  still, 
the  society  is  reported  as  being  $5,225  71  in  debt! 

Remarks. — The  two  principal  objections  raised  against 
this  society  are,  first,  its  not  recognizing  fully  a  Divine  call 


OF  pRESBTTEltlANlSM.  97 

tio  the  ministry;  and  secondly,  its  intimate  connexion  with 
the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  making  thereby  an 
important  link  in  the  great  chain  of  operations  in  the  Presby- 
terian and  Congregational  churches. 

It  is  proper,  then,  that  the  reader  should  understand  dis- 
tinctly, that  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  recognizes  more 
clearly  than  the  report  of  this  society,  the  Divine  call  to  the 
ministry.  She  believes  that  every  true  minister  is  "moved 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  preach  the  Gospel,''  and  that  this  call 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  ought  to  be  prior  to  a  special  preparation 
for  the  ministry.  In  a  word,  she  believes  that  the  church 
should  educate  all  her  youth,  and  that  God  should  then  be  al- 
lowed the  liberty  of  calling  from  among  them,  such  as  he 
may  think  best  calculated  for  the  work. 

But  this  society  is  saying  too  much,  when  it  asserts  that  a 
Divine  call  to  the  ministry,  is  not  of  greater  importance  than 
an  accomplished  education,  or  that  no  man  can  be  a  successful 
minister  of  the  cross,  without  the  ability  to  read  the  Scrip- 
tures in  their  own  dialect     The  names  of  many  a  burning 
light  of  the  church,  through  every  age  of  her  eventful  history, 
beam  forth  in  glorious  refutation  of  so  base  a  falsehood.     The 
truth  is,  that  there  is  an  immense  range  of  theological  knowl- 
edge in  our  language,  generally  neglected  by  the  Presbyterian 
clergy,  and  sometimes  by  even  the  Biblical  critic.     Were 
these  clergymen  to  pass  through  this  field  oftener  than  they 
do,  they  might  occupy  a  position  in  the  varied  departments  of 
the  church,  fully  as  important  and  as  useful  as  that  they  have 
derived  from  the  study  of  the  ancient  languages.     The  minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel  may,  and  should,  indeed,  make  the  whole 
intellectual    world   tributary  to  his  purpose.     Indeed,   the 
wider  the  sweep  of  his  studies,  the  more  large  will  be  his 
resources,  the  more  liberal  his  views,  and  as  a  universally 
probable  consequence,  the  more  effective  his  efforts.     But  in 
this,  in  all  this,  the  Presbyterian  clergy  too  generally,  are 
shamefully  deficient,  notwithstanding  their  boasted  preten- 
sions, and  insulting  consciousness  of  superiority,  as  daily 
manifested  by  their  conduct. 

But  this  society,  like  most  of  the  national  societies,  is  in- 
consistent with  the  rights  of  human  nature,  and  especially 
with  the  rights  oi  freemen-,  it  is  unreasonable,  and  contrary 
to  the  spirit  and  precepts  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  ini- 
quitous and  unjust  in  all  its  operations.  Fellow-citizens,  is 
it  so,  that  we  must  be  gulled  out  of  our  money  and  influence, 
and  thus  forced  to  aid  in  propagating  tlie  doctrines  of  John 
Calvin,  and  his  crazy  adherents !  Must  we  bow  to  those,  who 
I 


9S  HELPS  TO  THE   STUDY 

would  bring  all  opinions  down  to  the  sordid  level  of  their 
own,  and  force  the  manhood  of  the  human  mind  to  continue 
in  the  swathing  bands  of  a  perpetual  infancy? 

No  say  you : 

* 'Strip  black  oppression  of  her  deep  disguise, 
And  bid  her  form  in  native  horror  rise." 

But  it  is  for  you,  it  is  for  the  friends  of  the  Bible,  and  of 
American  freedom,  to  answer  the  above  questions.  Blessed, 
thrice  blessed  is  he,  who  is  faithful  to  the  liberties  of  his  coun- 
try, and  to  the  religion  of  his  God. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  AMERICAN  board  of  commissioners  for  foreign  mis^ 

SIGNS — THE  RISE    AND    PROGRESS   OF     THIS    SOCIETY— ITS 
TRUE  CHARACTER,  &C. 

The  age  in  which  we  Hyc,  is  no  less  distinguished  by  the 
splendor  of  its  gracious  illuminations,  its  soul-animating  chari- 
ties, and  expansive  benevolence,  than  by  the  unprecedented 
improvement  in  the  sciences,  and  in  the  arts  of  civilized  life. 
And  when  we  calmly  and  dispassionately  consider,  both  the 
capacity  and  constitution  of  the  human  mind,  contrasting  at 
the  same  time,  the  present  with  the  early  ages  of  the  world, 
we  must  cease,  in  a  great  measure  at  least,  to  be  any  longer 
astonished  at  the  wonderful  developments  of  mechanical  and 
intellectual  attainments;  and  by  this  means,  we  shall  be  pre- 
pared for  the  contemplation  of  a  progressive,  and  a  still  more 
magnificent  display  of  human  power  and  human  genius,  in 
generations  to  come.  But,  perhaps,  nothing  distinguishes 
this  age  more  than  the  rapid  advance  of  the  missionary/  spirit 
and  enterprise  among  all  evangelical  denominations. 

These  glorious  efforts  are  greatly  facilitated  by  the  commer- 
cial enterprise,  general  intercourse,  and  the  wide  extension 
of  liberal  feelings  and  sentiments,  which  are  so  prominent  in 
this  age.  This  whole  picture  is  one  of  the  brightest  beneath 
the  sun,  and  while  it  enlarges  and  settles  the  confidence  of 
the  Christian  churches  in  at  least  the  practicability  of  evan- 
gelizing the  world,  it  must  cause  infidels,  and  all  who  are 
opposed  to  the  spread  of  Christianity,  to  "exceedingly  fear 
and  quake."  For  if  the  advance  of  this  glorious  work,  shall 
be  after  the  same  ratio  for  the  next  twenty  years,  as  the  last 
twenty,  the  infidel  will  sit  down  in  despair,  and  will  conclude 


OF  pRESBYtEaiAXISM.  99 

feo  give  up  his  ship  for  lost.  Of  the  increase  of  the  missionary 
spirit  in  this  country,  there  are  many  indications.  The  oc- 
currences of  every  day,  shew,  that  the  all-important  truth  is 
more  and  more  intelligently  and  practically  embraced,  that  the 
church  was  constituted  by  its  divine  Head,  and  its  individual 
members  were  redeemed  by  his  precious  blood,and  renovated  by 
the  Spirit,  and  are  preserved  in  faith  and  hope,  and  blessed  in 
providence — not  chiefly,  that  they  may  have  the  comforts  of 
this  life,  and  the  consolations  of  piety,  and  be  fitted  for  and 
ultimately  received  to  heaven — but  that  they  may  be  <^the 
salt  of  the  earth'^  and  'Hhe  light  of  the  world" — the  means 
of  diffusing,  as  extensively  and  rapidly  as  possible,  the  knowl- 
edge and  blessings  of  true  religion,  among  all  mankind. 

But  while  I  would  pray,  that  great  success  may  ever  at- 
tend the  praiseworthy  efforts  of  all  the  Christian  churches; — 
and  while  I  would  eulogize  i\\Q  •American  Foreign  Mission 
ary  Society,  for  what  it  has  done,  I  must  be  permitted,  seri- 
ously, to  object  to  both  the  principles  and  past  conduct  of  the 
institution.  This  institution  was  organized  in  Boston,  in 
1809, — twenty-five  years  ago;  and  the  society  has  ever  been 
under  the  entire  control  oi  the  Presbyterian  and  Congrega- 
tional churches.  In  a  "report  on  foreign  missions,  read  to, 
and  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  the  United  States,"  in  May,  1832,  the  following 
proposition  is  made,  and  various  arguments  are  brought  for- 
ward to  sustain  it: — "  The  American  Board  of  Commission- 
ers, for  Foreign  Missions  is,  in  the  opinion  of  the  com- 
mittee^ properly  a  national  institution.^^ 

One  argument  adduced  in  this  report  to  prove  that  this 
society  is  truly  national  in  its  character  is,  because  "the  board 
sustains  the  same  relation  to  the  Congregational,  Presbyterian, 
and  Dutch  Reformed  churches,  and  fairly  represents  each  of 
these  religious  denominations. " 

This  report,  it  must  be  recollected,  is  the  production  of  a 
joint  committee  of  conference  from  the  Presbyterian  General 
Assembly,  and  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for 
Foreign  Missions,  and  therefore,  may  be  regarded  as  express- 
ing the  opinion  of  both  these  bodies  in  reference  to  this  sub- 
ject. It  is  further  urged  by  this  committee,  in  support  of 
this  proposition,  that,  from  the  time  of  this  society's  incor- 
poration by  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts  in  1821,  it  has 
embraced  members  of  the  above  named  three  denominations! 
What,  in  the  opinion  of  this  committee,  constitutes  its  na- 
tionality?  Why,  because  the  Presbyterian,  Congregation- 
alists,  and  Dutch  Reformed  churches  are  "fairly  represented" 


iOO  HBiPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

in  it.  This  is  the  ground  of  the  conclusion.  But  do  these 
three  denominations  represent  the  American  nation?  From 
the  language  of  this  report,  coolly,  deliberately,  and  gravely 
adopted,  it  would  seem  as  if  they  really  thought  there  were 
no  other  denominations  of  Christians  in  America? 

But  what  is  more  singular  still,  this  report  argues  that  there 
should  be  but  one  <<society  in  this  country  for  the  manage- 
ment of  foreign  missions/'  Still,  there  is  the  Assembly's 
Board  of  Missions^  the  Western  Foreign  Alissionari/  So- 
ciety, and  the  Central  and  Southern  Board  of  Missio72S, 
recently  organized  within  the  synods  of  Virginia,  North  Ca- 
rolina, South  Carolina,  and  Georgia,  all  of  which,  are  in 
successful  operation,  under  the  control  of  the  Presbyterians, 
and  by  them,  made  to  co-operate  with  this  society!  How 
very  inconsistent  they  are  who  talk  thus!  But  I  will  now 
allude,  briefly,  to  some  three  or  four  of  tlie  most  weighty 
objections,  which,  in  my  judgment,  lie  against  this  society. 
First,  the  board  of  managers  for  this  institution,  profess  to 
employ  all  the  means  put  within  their  control,  for  the  benevo- 
lent purpose  of  both  civilizing  and  christianizing  the  heathen. 
But,  the  missionaries  whom  they  send  out  for  this  purpose, 
being  Calvinists  to  a  man,  palm  upon  the  poor  heathen  a 
most  barbarous  and  ungodly  system ;  and  so  far  from  improving 
their  condition,  they  invariably  make  it  worse.  For  I  assert^ 
without  any  sort  of  disguise,  that  the  whole  world  of  man- 
kind, had  better  remain  in  Pagan  darkness,  than  to  be  brought 
under  the  influence  of  Calvinism;  for  they  would  then, 
^^having  not  the  written  law,"  be  ''a  law  unto  themselves." 

vSecondly,  this  society,  in  its  operations,  is  entirely  too  ex- 
pensive. The  highest  estimate  of  the  present  population  of 
the  world  is  900,000,000.  Now,  450  millions,  or  one  half 
of  the  whole  population,  are  Pagan;  the  Christian  population 
at  the  highest  calculation,  is  only  300  millions,  and  the  rest 
are  Jews  and  Mahometans.  So  that  600,000,000,  or  two 
thirds  of  the  whole  population,  are  yet  to  be  converted  to  the 
Christian  religion. 

Well,  look  at  the  number  of  souls,  reported  by  this  society, 
as  having  been  brought  under  the  influence  of  Christianity, 
during  the  time  of  its  operations;  next,  look  at  the  amount 
of  money  expended  during  that  time,  in  order  to  effect  the 
conversion  of  those  souls;  and  it  will  be  seen,  in  view  of  the 
millions  who  are  still  in  darkness,  that  there  is  not  enough  of 
the  precious  metals  in  the  bowels  of  the  whole  earth,  to  con- 
vert the  world,  in  the  hands  of  the  American  Board  of  Com- 
missioners for  Foreign  Missions!     If,  I  say,  the  demands  of 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  101 

this  institution  are  to  be  complied  with,  the  Spanish  mines, 
the  North  Carolina  and  Georgia  gold  mines,  and  all  other 
mines  under  the  whole  heavens,  must  be  ransacked  to  their^ 
utmost  extremity !  .  ,  . 

Hence,  we  should  study  to  conduct  both  foreign  and  domes- 
tic missions,  on  a  less  expensive  plan. 

In  secretary  Cass's  report  to  congress,  for  the  year  1833, 
he  states  that  in  fulfilment  of  a  stipulation  on  the  part  of  the 
o-enerai  government,  ^11,615  had  been  paid  to  this  board,  to 
enable  them  to  complete  their  establishments  among  the 
Cherokees  of  Arkansas;  and  on  the  next  page  of  this  same 
document,  the  writer  says:— "The  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  has  instituted  missions  among  the  Shawnees,  Dela- 
wares,  and  Peorias,  with  her  own  resources  unaided  by  the 
government.''^  The  secretary  of  war,  it  is  very  evident, 
?n tended  the  American  Board  to  feel  this  rebuke.  In  travell- 
ing tlirough  the  Indian  nation,  I  have  viewed  with  astonish- 
ment the  superstructures  and  stately  edifices,  reared  up  by 
this  board.  To  pass  by  and  see  their  mills,  shops,  and  other 
machinery  in  operation,  one  would  think  their  desires  to 
monopolize  the  wealth  of  the  nation  much  stronger,  than 
those  of  changing  the  hearts  of  the  poor  Indians  from  nature 
to  o-race.  And  it  has  more  than  once  been  the  case,  that  after 
tlie  missionaries  belonging  to  this  establishment  have  acquired 
a  salliciency  of  the  mammon  of  unrighteousness,  they  have 
removed  to  more  agreeable  sections,  leaving  behind  thena 
their  costly  buildings  to  moulder  until  the  antiquarian  shall 
deem  them  worthy  of  reparation.  I  do  not  wonder  w-hen 
such  missionaries  fail  to  benefit  those  among  whom  they  labor. 
In  their  intercourse  with  the  natives,  they  are  not  actuated  by 
a  desire  to  do  them  good,  but  merely  to  benefit  themselves  by 
traffic.  Instead  of  being  moved  by  those  high,  commanding, 
and  philanthropic  views  which  dictate  the  conduct  of  holy 
and  benevolent  Christian  missionaries,  they  are  actuated  by 
merely  mercenary  motives  to  enrich  themselves  on  the  spoils 
of  the  simple  natives.  These,  therefore,  are  <'wolves  in 
sheep's  clothing,"  who  seek  not  the  good  of  the  flock  scat- 
tered in  the  wilderness,  but  are  eager  only  to  fleece  themselves 
with  their  wool.  Many  of  my  readers  in  East  Tennessee, 
wiW  doubtless  long  recollect  the  shameful  whiskey,  blanket, 
and  fur-skin  expeditions  of  the  Rev.  Gideon  Blackburn.  But 
the  day  of  judgment  alone,  will  explain  the  manner  in  which 
Mr.  B.  disposed  of  the  five  thousand  dollars  of  Indian  annui- 
ties, placed  in  his  hands  by  the  government. 

This  inconsistent  conductof  Christian  missionaries,  debased 
i2 


102  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

and  corrupted  as  they  are  by  these  vices,  most  unequivocally 
condemned  by  that  very  religion  which  they  professed,  has 
always  been  one  of  the  greatest  barriers  in  the  way  of  the 
'  sincere  missionary.  And  could  we  present  to  the  heathen  no 
better  example  of  the  good  effects  of  our  religion,  than  has 
been  and  still  is  exemplified  by  such  inconsistent  missionaries, 
wc  might  at  once  despair  of  exerting  any  salutary  influence 
on  the  pagan  world — as  we  should  then  have  no  sufficient 
argument  to  repel  the  objections  of  our  enemies — at  least  no 
argumient  derived  from  the  supreme  excellence  of  Christianity 
in  its  practical  effects  upon  their  hearts  and  lives.  But, 
blessed  be  God !  all  are  not  thus  inconsistent.  There  are 
those  in  heathen  lands,  in  whom  the  Spirit  of  God  dwells.' 
whose  tempers,  words  and  actions  proclaim  the  genuineness 
of  their  religion — whose  whole  deportment  evinces  that  there 
is  a  reality  in  religion. 

The  last,  though  not  the  least  objection  I  would  bring  for- 
Vv^ard  against  this  society,  is,  it  is  a  national  society.  Its 
object  is,  to  have  the  same  influence  in  the  religious  world; 
that  their  other  societies  have.  The  declared  objects  of  these 
societies,  are  but  secondary;  their  rew/ objects  lie  beyond  the, 
view  of  superficial  observation — they  aim  ^ireligious  svpre- 
onacy!  To  carry  on  this  scheme,  the  clergy  have  succeeded, 
by  art  and  deception,  in  obtaining  the  countenance  of  some 
of  the  first  men  in  our  country,  who,  I  doubt  not,  from  their 
well  known  talents,  honesty  and  integrity,  would  gladly  rid 
themselves,  by  this  time,  of  the  cause  they  have  been  led  by 
the  clergy  to  approve;  and  would  do  it  speedily,  were  it  not  for 
the  fear  of  incurring  their  displeasure,  and  of  exposing  their 
political  prosperity  to  be  blasted  by  their  sectarian  anathe- 
ip.as. 

The  easier  to  effect,  and  the  more  certainl}^  to  ensure  the 
vsuccess  of  their  plans,  they  have  invited  people  of  all  persua- 
sions to  join  their  institutions;  and,  in  many  instances,  they 
have  appointed  ministers  of  other  orders  to  important  stations 
in  their  societies — thus  trying  to  make  it  appear  that  their 
grand  scheme  is  not  a  party  concern.  All  this,  they  tery 
well  know,  they  can  do,  with  the  most  perfect  safety  to  their 
own  plans  and  cause;  for  if  there  should  beany  who  should 
presume  at  any  time  to  oppose  their  measures,  being  by  far 
the  minority,  it  would  be  no  difficult  task  to  shuffle  such  off 
at  will;  while  those  who  acquiesce  in  2\\  things,  they  intend 
to  promote. 

Reader,  a  man  must  be  stupid,  indeed,  not  to  see  that  all  the 
schemes  of  the  Presbyterians,  which  I  have  named,  and  many 


or  PRESBTTERIAXISM.  103 

Others,  which  I  intend  to  name,  no  matter  what  their  declared 
objects  may  be,  have  for  their  scope  and  end  one  grand  pur- 
pose, universal  empire — religious  supremacy — a  union  of 
church  and  state!  If  they  should  finally  succeed  in  their 
grasp  at  supremacy,  what  may  we  rationally  calculate  will  be 
the  consequence?  I  tremble  when  I  think  of  the  more  than 
probable  results.  Former  scenes  of  cruelty,  such  as  were 
experienced  in  the  days  of  John  Calvin,  would  doubtless  be 
practised  upon  those  who  should  dare  to  oppose  any  of  their 
unhallowed  measures. 

Do  you  believe,  gentle  reader,  that  they  would  permit  those 
who  differ  v/ith  them  in  sentiment,  quietly  to  meet  to  wor- 
ship, agreeably  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences,  the 
God  of  our  fathers? — peaceably  to  possess  and  enjoy  religious 
liberty,  to  publish  their  sentiments  to  the  world,  and  to  have 
and  to  hold  meetinghouses,  in  which  to  propagate  and  defend 
the  same?  No;  our  religious  liberties,  I  awfull}^  fear,  would 
be  limited  to  the  bolts  and  bars  of  a  prison!  But,  there  is  a 
chance  yet  left,  to  avert  the  impending  ruin  with  w^hich  we 
are  menaced.  Let  us  then  seize  upon  the  present  moment; 
delay  not,  lest  by  procrastination  we  loose  our  all. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Tee  AMERICAN  TEMPERANCE    SOCIETY ITS  RISE    AND  PRO- 
GRESS—ITS  DESIGN,  &C.   &C. 

This  society  was  instituted  at  Boston,  Feb.  1S26.  Its 
object  is  to  collect  and  publish  facts  respecting  the  amount  and 
the  cost  of  intoxicating  liquors  consumed;  the  number  of  in- 
temperate persons,  the  effects  of  intemperance  in  destroying 
health,  reason  and  life,  and  occasioning  pauperism,  crime,  and 
wretchedness  in  the  community;  and  to  organize  auxiliaries 
in  towns  and  villages,  whose  members  agree  to  abstain  from 
the  use  of  such  liquors,  except  as  a  medicine.  Seven  reports 
of  the  society,  and  many  other  publications  have  been  issued, 
abounding  with  such  facts  as  show  the  evil  ot  intemperance  to 
,be  great  and  alarming.  From  the  report  of  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  American  Temperance  Society,  for  1834,  it  seems 
that  there  are  7,000  temperance  societies  in  America,  and 
1,200,000  members  of  temperance  societies;  3,000  distilleries 
have  ceased  their  operations;  7,000  drunkards  have  been 
reclaimed.     There  are  said  to  be  100,000  members  of  tern- 


104  HELPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

perance  societies  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland;  and  the  cai;5€ 
is  said  to  be  progressing  in  Sweden,  Russia,  Madras  in  India, 
New  Holland,  and  South  Africa. 

Amidst  the  clamors  of  opposition  which  have  been  raised 
against  Methodism,  no  one  charge  preferred  against  the  mem- 
bers and  friends  of  the  Methodist  church,  as  yet,  is  more 
illiberal  or  unfounded  than  that  of  their  being  opposed  to  the 
temperance  cause — the  cause  of  benevolence  and  humanity. 
It  is  known  to  all,  who  are  at  all  acquainted  with  our  history, 
that  the  temperance  reformation  in  our  church,  commenced 
in  the  youthful  days  of  Mr.  Wesley.  If  those  who  bring 
this  charge  against  us,  will  take  the  pains  to  examine  the 
writings  of  Mr.  Wesley,  or  the  discipline  of  our  church, 
they  will  find  that  we  are  no  more  opposed  to  temperance  than 
we  are  to  Methodism,  or  to  the  word  of  God.  The  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church  has  always  been  a  temperance  society, 
and  has,  indeed,  made  it  a  term  of  church  communion  not  to 
use  ardent  spirits  ^^except  in  cases  of  necessity.^'  The  reso- 
lutions of  our  last  General  Conference  will  show,  clearly,  the 
light  in  which  we  view  the  subject  of  temperance.  And  it  is 
intended  at  our  next  General  Conference,  to  be  held  in  Cincin- 
nati, in  May,  1836,  to  make  entire  abstinence  d,  condition  of 
membership  in  our  church.  Let  any  one  of  my  readers,  turn 
to  the  first  volume  of  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal, 
edited  by  Dr.  Bangs,  and  published  for  the  Methodist  church 
in  the  United  States,  and  he  will  find  a  series  of  essays  on 
this  subject,  in  w^hich  the  practice  of  total  abstinence  was 
strenuously  maintained.  From  that  time  onward  until  the 
present,  both  from  the  pulpit  and  the  press,  the  Methodist 
clergy  have  been  the  steady  advocates  of  the  temperance 
cause,  and  it  is  hoped  will  so  continue  while  the  shameful 
and  disgraceful  vice  of  intemperance  shall  find  a  solitary  ad- 
vocate. And  as  long  as  the  American  Temperance  Society 
is  defended  and  supported  by  voluntary  associations,  the 
Methodist  church  will  rejoice  in  its  prosperity.  But  when 
^Y^Y  money  must  be  collected,  through  agents,  for  the  purpose 
of  furnishing  employment  to  men  who  would  otherwise  be 
unemployed  as  preachers  of  the  Gospel,  and  notioT  the  sake 
of  the  object  of  the  society,  separately  considered,  then  we  ^ 
will  go  against  the  society.  And  I  predict,  that  the  time  is 
not  far  distant,  when  the  Presbyterians  will  take  charge  of 
the  society,  and  appoint  s/om«/ a^en/^  for  this  very  purpose. 

The  Presbyterians,  indeed,  several  years  since,  took  uponi 
themselves  to  say  that  Methodist  preachers  generally,  were> 
opposed  to  the  teraperaaco  ciiuse,  merely  for  the  reason  thati 


OF   PRBSBTTERIANISM,  105 

they  did  not  themselves  join  nor  advise  their  members  and 
friends  to  join  the  national  society.  I  allow,  indeed,  that 
as  a  body,  they  never  did  themselves  unite  with,  nor  advise 
their  friends  to  join  the  American  Temperance  Society,  not 
because  they  ever  felt  the  least  particle  of  opposition  to  the 
eiSbrts  of  that  society  to  put  down  the  use  of  ardent  spirits, 
far  and  near,  and  among  all  classes  of  people,  but  simply  be- 
cause they  thought  they  could  more  effectually  serve  the  cause 
in  their  own  way,  and  they  think  they  have  not  been  disap- 
pointed. Besides,  I  hope  never  to  see  a  Methodist  manifest 
the  intemperate  zeal  of  a  crazy  enthusiast,  or  like  the  Pres- 
byterians do,  to  transcend  the  bounds  of  liberality  and  mode- 
ration in  the  advocacy  of  this,  or  of  any  other  cause. 

As  Methodists,   let  our  motto  be  moderation!     On  the 
subject  of  temperance,  the  Presbyterians  may  be  regarded  as 
a  race  of  wild  enthusiasts,    or  as  a  set  of  infatuated  fanatics, 
who  suffer  themselues  to   be  transported  by  their  mad  zeal 
beyond  the  bounds  of  every  thing  like  moderation,  into  the 
hide-bound  regions  of  Calvinistic  intolerance.     This  is  not 
the  way  to  produce  unanimity  of  sentiment,  or  harmony  of 
feeling.     Where  ever  I  have  heard  a  Presbyterian  on  the 
subject  of  temperance,  I  have  heard  denunciations  thundered 
against  all  those  who  have  refused  Lo  join  this  society;  and  I 
have  heard  wrath  without  any  mixture  of  mercy,  poured  out 
upon  all  who  either  make  or  sell  liquor,  in  any  way !     And  all 
who  do  not  join  with  them,  in  their  reproachful  denunciations, 
and  help  them  to  sweep  down  into  the  lowest  depths  of  igno- 
miny  and    ruin,    many  well-meaning,   honest,  and  worthy 
citizens,  who  are  unfortunately  engaged  in  distilling  and  sell- 
ing spirits,  are  themselves,  doomedto  an  eternal  hell,  as  being 
rather  too  degraded  to  associate  v/ith  the  ordinary  spirits  of 
perdition!     These  people,  on  the  subject  of  temperance,  are 
exact  to  a  degree  of  scrupulosity,  and  still,  in  various  other 
matters,  they  neglect  the  most  important  points  of  the  law  of 
God !     I  have  no  doubt,  myself,  but  what  many  well-meaning 
persons  are  engaged  in  making  and  selling  ardent  spirits,  un- 
der the  belief  that  their  calling  is  lawful,  inasmuch  as  it  is 
not  prohibited,  but  only  regulated,  by  the  law  of  the  land. 
I  confess,  however,  that  1  have  very  little  charity  for  a  man, 
who,  after  he  has  been  convinced  of  the  o-reat  evil  of  distillino- 
or  selling  spirits,  will  continue  the  practice.  And  a  drunkard, 
in  my  estimation,  is  the  most  contemptible  being  in  God's 
universe.     In  the  mean  time,  if  we   would  succeed  in  the 
temperance  reformation,   we  must  strike  at  the  root  of  all 
vice,  the  heart  of  the  sinner  and  the  nominal  professor,  and 


106  HEXPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

neve^^xtesise  until  U  be  made  clean.     Let  those  eiders,  md 
other  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  who  are  accus- 
tomed to  get  so  drunk  that  they  can't  even  navigate  a  com- 
mon wagon-road,  keep  cool  on  the  subject  of  temperance ! 
And  if  the  Presbyterians,  as  a  body,  wish  to  promote  the  cause  of 
temperance,  let  them,  in  future,  be  more  consistent; — let  them 
show  their  faith   by  their  works.     For,   notwithstanding 
they  are  the  first  to  fulminate  anathemas  against  all  dram- 
drinkers  and  whiskey-makers;  yet,  in  an  election,  they  will 
conspire  against  a  Methodist  candidate  of  the  first  talents  and 
moral  worth  in  the  country,  and  vote  for  an  habitual  drunkard, 
a  liar,   a  dcfrauder,  and  a  whore-monger!     Wonderful  in- 
fatuation! strange  delusion!     But  what  better  can  we  expect 
of  persons   born  and  raised  in  the  Dismal  Swamp  of  Cal- 
vinian  decrees?     0  hypocrisy!  thou  brat  of  hell,  how  I  hate 
thee!     You  mingle  in  all  society — but  you  are  particularly 
fond  of  temperance  societies!     You  deck  your  visage  in 
smiles  and  dimples,  and  affect  friendship  for  the  purpose  of 
your  hate!     But  your  smile  is  the  smile  of  deception;  the 
poison  of  asps  is  under  your  tongue,  cursing  and  bitterness 
follow  in  your  train,  and  your  feet-^re  swift  to  do  works  of 
mischief.     There  is  treachery  in  the  affected  meekness  of 
your  eyes;  j'our  honied  words  are  but  as  drops  of  liquid  fire, 
and  your  whispers  of  kindness  and  moderation,  as  the  gro- 
tesque howling  of  the  fierce  hyena,  that  thirsts  for  blood!     I 
must  close,  though  in  pursuing  this  subject,  *^hills  on  hills, 
and  Alps  on  Alps  arise.'^ 

As  it  respects  the  Baptists,  they  are,  in  the  general, 
avowed  enemies  to  the  temperance  reformation.  Poor  crea- 
tures! they  are,  at  best,  about  a  century  behind  the  march  of 
mind,  and  their  dynasty  is  unpopular.  Besides,  custom 
seems  to  have  given  both  preachers  and  members  of  this  de- 
nomination, a  license  to  diversify,  and  give  zest  to  a  perpetual 
round  of  drunkenness.  Hence,  they  will  church  Priest  or 
Levite,  for  the  sin  of  joining  the  temperance  society! 

In  conclusion,  those  of  every  name,  who  sneer  at  the  for- 
mation of  temperance  societies,  by  contemptuously  calling 
them  ^^cold  water  combinations,"  betray  a  lightness  of  spirit 
incompatible  with  the  sober  earnestness  with  which  the  friends 
of  humanity  have  attempted  to  check  the  progress  of  an  e,\i\ 
of  such  magnitude  as  is  the  hydra  of  intemperance. .  Let  all 
come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty;  and  let 
the  reformation  be  thoroughly  pursued  until  intemperate  liv- 
ing of  all  sorts  and  sizes,  in  doctrines  and  practice,  in  eating, 
sleeping,  dressing,  and   the  employment  of  time,   find  no 


OF  FRESBTTEKIANI9M.  107 

apdogist,  nor  refuge  in  the  sanctuary  of  God,  either  among 
ministers  or  people. 

And  reader,  while  you  and  I  live,  may  the  consideration 
of  having  lived  temperate  aflford  us  abiding  joy;  and  when 
we  close  our  eyes  upon  the  world,  to  sleep  the  sleep  of  death, 
may  the  same  consideration  compo?=e  us;  and  when  the  morn- 
ino-  of  eternal  day  breaks  in  upon  the  universe,  may  our  hopes 
'be  realized,  in  full  and  blissful  fruition,  for  the  Redeemer's 
sake. — Amen, 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  AMERICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY — ITS  RISE  AND  PKO- 
GRESS — TfiE   SUBJECT  OF  SLAVERY  CONSIDERED. 

This  society  was  instituted  in  the  city  of  Washington,  in 
1816.  The  colony  at  Liberia,  extends  along  the  western 
coast  of  Africa,  a  distance  of  about  280  miles  in  length,  and 
from  about  20  to  30  miles  inland.  It  contains  now  about 
3,000  colonists.  They  have  Methodist,  Baptist,  and  Presby- 
terian missionaries  there,  all  of  whom  have  houses  of  worship, 
and  organized  churches.  Five  years  of  preliminary  opera- 
tions %vere  requisite  for  surveying  the  coast — propitiating  the 
natives— and  selecting  the  most  eligible  site.  Numerous 
agents  were  subsequently  employed — ships  chartered — -the 
€oast  cleared — schpols,  factories,  hospitals,  churches,  govern- 
ment buildings  and  dwellings  erected— and  the  many  expenses 
requisite  were  defrayed,  &c.  &c.  As  early  as  the  year  1777, 
Mr.  Jefferson  formed  a  plan  for  colonizing  the  free  colored 
population  of  the  United  States.  The  particulars  of  his  plan 
I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain.  In  the  year  1787,  Dr.  Thorn- 
ton, of  Washington,  formed  a  plan  for  the  same  purpose.  In 
the  year  1800,  Mr.  Monroe,  then  governor  of  the  state  of 
Virginia,  endeavored  through  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  to  obtain  from  the  powers  of  Europe  possessed  of 
colonies  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  an  asylum  to  which  our 
.emancipated  negroes  might  be  sent.  In  December,  1816,  at 
which  time  this  society  was  formed,  a  considerable  number 
of  citizens,  very  nearly  all  slave  holders,  convened  at  Wash- 
ington, to  take  the  subject  into  consideration.  Long  debates 
ensued.  Henry  Clay,  John  Randolph,  of  Roanoke,  and 
various  other  powerful  orators,  addressed  the  meeting  in  sup- 
port of  the  plan.     More  recently,  there  have  been  legislative 


iOS  ilElii^S   TO  THE   STUBf 

proceedings  in  favor  of  the  society,  by  Connecticut,  New-- 
Jersey,  Kentucky,  Delaware,  Massachusetts,  Virginia,  Ten- 
nessee, Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  Indiana. — By  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church— And 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

The  colony  has  arrested  the  progress  of  the  nefarious  and 
accursed  slave  trade  in  its  neighborhood;  destroyed  some  slave 
factories,  and  liberated  a  number  of  slaves  who  were  on  the 
point  of  being  transported  across  the  Atlantic,  subject  to  all 
the  horrors  of  the  passage,  and,  if  they  escaped  with  life,  to 
the  horrors  of  perpetual  slavery;  and  there  cannot  be  a  doubt 
that  at  no  distant  period  the  trade  will  be  annihilated  on  the 
whole  of  the  western  coast  of  Africa. 

This  colony,  besides  other  benefits  it  hopes  to  confer  on 
Africa,  is  expected  to  exert  a  powerful  influence  against  the 
slave  trade.  The  colony  has  already  done  much,  and  will  do 
vastly  more,  for  the  suppression  of  this  atrocious  trade. 
Notwithstanding  the  efforts  of  the  chief  maratime  powers  of 
Europe,  and  those  of  the  United  States,  to  suppress  this 
traffic,  there  were,  from  two  towns,  Muney  and  Pangas,  352 
cargoes  of  slaves  taken,  during  the  year  1831. 

The  slave  trade  was  commenced  by  the  Portuguese,  as 
early  as  the  year  1454;  and  the  whole  number  of  slaves  ex- 
ported from  Africa  since  that  period,  is  estimated  at  20,000,- 
000 !!  And  the  cruelties  attending  this  trade  are  probably 
greater  now  than  at  any  former  period.  Such  is  the  merciless 
treatment  of  the  slaves,  that  no  fancy  can  picture  the  horrors 
of  the  voyage.  Crowded  together  so  as  not  to  have  the  power 
to  move — linked  one  to  the  other  by  the  leg — never  unfet- 
tered while  life  remains,  or  till  the  iron  shall  have  fretted  the 
flesh  almost  to  the  bone — forced  under  alow  deck — breathing 
an  atmosphere  the  most  putrid  and  pestilential — with  little 
food  and  less  water — at  the  same  time,  subject  to  the  most 
severe  punishment,  at  the  caprice  of  the  brute  or  demon  who 
may  command  the  vessel.  The  blood  broils  in  my  veins 
while  I  write;  I  dare  not  pursue  the  subject  any  further. 

Soil  and  climate  of  Liberia. — The  soil  is  not  exceeded 
for  fertility,  or  productiveness,  when  properly  cultivated,  by 
any  soil  in  the  world.  The  hills  and  plains  are  covered  with 
perpetual  verdure.  The  productions  of  the  soil  go  on  through- 
out the  year.  The  natives  of  Liberia,  know  nothing  about 
winter.  The  natives  raise  more  produce  than  they  can  con- 
sume, and  frequently  more  than  they  can  sell. 

The  true  character  of  the  African  climate,  is  not  understood 
in  other  countries.     Its  inhabitants  are  as  robust,  to  say  the 


OF  PttB^BTTERIANISM.  109 

least,  a«  healthy,  and  as  long  lived,  as  those  of  any  other 
<;ountry. 

Nothing  like  an  epidemic  has  ever  appeared  in  the  colony 
—nor  can  we  learn,  that  the  calamity  of  a  sweeping  sickness 
ever  yet  existed  in  this  part  of  the  world.  But  the  change 
from  a  temperate  to  a  tropical  climate,  is  a  great  one — too 
great  not  to  effect  the  health,  more  or  less — and  in  the  case 
of  old  people,  and  quite  young  persons,  it  often  causes  death. 
In  the  first  settlement  of  this  colony,  want  of  good  houses, 
great  fatigues,  irregular  mode  of  living,  &c.  on  the  part  of 
the  colonists,  greatly  helped  the  other  causes  of  sickness, 
which  prevailed  so  extensively,  and  caused  such  great  mor- 
tality. But  those  days  have  gone  by.  Seldom,  if  ever 
<loes  a  person  die,  from  the  middle  and  southern  states,  from 
the  change  of  climate. 

Commerce  and  productions. — The  commerce  of  Liberia, 
though  in  its  infancy,  is  nevertheless  respectable,  and  is  an- 
nually increasing.  A  trading  company  has  been  formed  at 
INIonrovia,  the  metropolis  of  the  colony.  The  port  of  Mon- 
rovia, is  seldom  clear  of  European  and  American  vessels, 
loading  and  unloading.  The  imports  consist  of  an  assort- 
ment of  the  productions  of  Europe,  the  West  Indies  and 
America.  The  exports  are  rice,  palm  oil,  ivory,  tortoise 
shell,  dye  wood,  gold,  hides,  wax,  and  coffee.  Coffee  and 
cotton  grow  spontaneoysly.  Indigo  and  the  sugar  cane  suc- 
ceed, and  will  be  cultivated  to  great  advantage.  The  timber 
of  Liberia  is  various  and  durable,  and  well  adapted  to  build- 
ing. Camwood,  as  it  is  called,  is  abundant,  and  mahogany 
grows  at  the  cape,  in  great  abundance. 

In  a  word,  in  no  respect  scarcely,  is  Liberia  surpassed  by 
any  country  in  the  world.  And  there  is  not,  I  verily  be- 
lieve, another  benevolent  enterprize  on  earth,  so  well  calcu- 
lated to  secure  the  favorable  opinion  and  enlist  the  hearty  good 
will  ot  ALL  MEN,  as  this  is,  when  its  objects  and  bearings  are 
fully  understood. 

"From  Greenland's  icy  mountains, 

From  India's  coral  strand, 
Where  Afric's  sunny  fountains, 

Roll  down  their  golden  sand; 
From  many  an  ancient  river, 

From  many  a  palmy  plain, 
They  call  us  to  deliver 

Their  land  from  errors'  chain." 

But  the  anti-slavery  and  abolition  societies  of  the  Northern 
and  Eastern  states,  in  their  mad  zeal  to  improve  the  condition 
of  the  slave  population  of  this  country,  are  like  to  injure, 
K 


110  HELPS   TO   THE   STUDY 

seriously,  the  American  Colonization  Society.  Also,  the 
society  was  injured  by,  in  1833,  appointing  a  Presbyterian 
clergyman,  governor  of  the  colony.  And  although  this  par- 
son was  removed  from  office,  at  the  request  of  the  other  de- 
nominations who  had  missionaries  there,  still,  himself  and  his 
brethren,  are  desirous  to  have  the  whole  management  of  the 
colony.  With  the  Presbyterians  it  is,  and  always  has  been, 
bell-weather  or  no  sheep.  And  if  ever  the  benevolent  scheme 
of  this  society  is  defeated,  I  will  venture  to  predict  that  Pres- 
byterianism  will  defeat  it. 

Certain  clerical  incendiaries,  of  the  Presbyterian  order, 
natives  of  New-England,  falsely  called  philanthropists,  are 
now  busily  engaged  in  lecturing  upon  the  immediate  emanci- 
pation of  the  Southern  States. 

I  am  not  a  slave  holder,  and  1  pray  God  I  never  may  bev 
I  lament  the  evils  of  slavery  as  much  as  any  other  man,  but  I 
deprecate  most  sincerely  the  idea  of  immediate  or  sudden 
emancipation,  as  lam  well  aware  that  it  tends  to  the  murder 
and  robbery  of  thousands  of  the  slave  holders,  and  the  abso- 
lute starvation  of  even  a  greater  number  of  the  emancipated 
slaves. 

The  reader  will  not  regard  me  as  denying  the  truth  of  the 
proposition  which  asserts  that  slavery  is  an  evil,  and  a  great 
evil  at  that,  and  an  evil  which,  by  the  bye,  is  condemned  by 
the  law  of  God,  and  ought  not  to  be  sanctioned  by  any  who 
regard  the  Bible  as  a  true  history  of  God.  To  prove  slavery 
an  evil,  as  it  exists  in  the  United  States,  is  quite  an  easy  task; 
but  to  tell  how  that  evil  can  be  remedied,  without  at  the  same 
time,  injuring  both  the  white  and  black  population  of  our 
country,  is  a  question,  the  satisfactory  adjustment  of  which, 
I  readily  confess,  will  require  a  better  head  and  heart  than 
mine,  or  those  possessed  by  these  emancipating  preachers, 
who  are  continually  bawling  oniset  your  negroes  free! 

Unenviable  as  is  the  condition  of  the  slave,  however 
wretched  and  forlorn  as  are  his  prospects,  feeble  as  is  the 
thread  by  which  he  holds  all  earthly  joys,  his  condition  is 
infinitely  better  than  that  of  the  free  man  of  color,  in  any 
state  or  territory  in  the  Union.  The  most  miserable  class  of 
beings  in  these  United  States,  is  that  class  usually  called  free 
negroes.  See  them  wronged,  abused,  and  driven,  by  un- 
principled white  folks,  from  pillow  to  post.  Look  at  the 
many  privations  and  sufferings  which  they  are  forced  to  en- 
dure, and  how  the  cloud  of  cheerless  gloom  obscures  froni 
them  the  sun  of  prosperity;  while,  dispirited  and  faint,  they 
creep  into  their  huts  of  poverty,  and  share  with  their  weep- 


or  PKESBTTERIANISM.  Ill 

Lng babes,  the  cup  of  unmingled  wretchedness!  And  this  is 
what  is  called  freedom !  A  perfect  mock  of  every  thing  like 
freedom!  That  the  free  colored  population  in  this cou'ntry, 
therefore,  labor  under  the  most  oppressive  disadvantages, 
which  their  mereii/  nominal  fretdom  can  by  no  means  coun- 
terbalance, is  too  obvious  to  admit  of  doubt.  I  waive  all 
enquiry  whether  this  be  right  or  wrong.  I  speak  of  thino-s 
as  they  tfre— not  as  they  might,  or  ought  to  be.  They  are 
cut  off  from  the  most  remote  chance  of  amalgamation  with  the 
white  population,  by  feelings  or  prejudices,  call  them  what 
you  will.  Their  associations  are,  and  must  of  necessity  be, 
chiefly  with  slaves,  their  right  of  suffrage  gives  them  no 
political  influence,  and  they  are  entirely  excluded  from  any 
weight  in  our  public  councils.  No  merit,  no  services,  no 
talents  can  ever  elevate  a  man  of  color  to  a  level  with  a  white 
man,  in  this  country. 

I  have  neither  time,  or  the  disposition  at  present,  to  draw 
a  comparison  between  the  situation  of  the  slaves  of  the  Wes- 
tern states,  and  the  laboring  peasantry  at  the  North,  or  in  the 
manufacturing  states,  but  I  leally  believe  that,  if  such  a  com.- 
parison  were  made,  the  situation  of  the  slaves,  in  at  least  some 
of  the  western  states,  would  be  found  in  many  respects  pre- 
ferable. Not  only  so,  but  the  situation  of  many  white 
people  here  among  us,  is  far  worse  than  that  of  the  slaves 
owned  by  some  men— by  good  masters.  Let  those,  there- 
fore, who  have  slaves,  feed,  clothe,  and  work  them  well,  and 
teaek  them  the  fear  of  God;  or  if  they  choose,  emancipate 
them  and  send  them  to  the  coast  of  Africa,  where,  I  humbly 
trust,  under  the  fostering  care  of  heaven,  the  slaves  of  this 
country  will  all,  one  day,  find  a  calm  and  welcome  retreat 
from  the  cares  and  vicissitudes  of  bondage. 
"Waft,  waft,  ye  winds  the  stor}-, 

And  you,  yc  waters  roll, 
'Till  like  a  sea  of  glory, 

It  spreads  from  pole  to  pole,- 
'Till  o'er  our  ransomed  nature, 

The  Lamb  for  sinners  slain, 
Eedeemer,  King-,  Creator, 
In  bliss  returns  to  reig-n." 


PAUT  II. 


Being  a  particular  notice,  of  tlie  representations,  puljlicly  and  of- 
ticially  given  "by  tlie  Presbyterian  ministers,  'of  the  moral  aitd 
religious  state  of  particular  sections  of  our  country,  and  tlie 
cliaracter  and  worth  -w-liich.  are  attached  to  the  ministers  of  otlier 
churches* 


CHAPTER  I. 

WESTERN  VIRGINIA    A  MORAL  WASTE  ! 

The  statements  made  from  time  to  time  in  our  country,  bv 
Ihe  Presbyterian  clergy,  respecting  its  destitution  in  regard 
to  spiritual  instruction,  as  I  have  frequently  had  occasion  to 
remark,  must  have  an  injurious  eflfect,  and  produce  in  time, 
a  reaction,  which  the  authors  of  those  erroneous  statements 
themselves  will  ultimately  very  much  deprecate.  It  was  in 
an  unguarded  moment,  and  at  an  evil  hour  when,  with  a 
view  to  awaken  the  attention  of  the  community  to  the  impor- 
tance of  religious  enterprises,  it  was  proclaimed  by  these 
men,  in  pamphlets  and  periodical  publications,  and  from  the 
pulpit,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  that  two  thirds  of  the 
American  people  were  entirely  destitute  of  religious  instruc- 
tion. 

The  Presbyterians,  when  making  the  statement,  thereby 
annihilating  all  other  denominations  but  their  own,  little 
thought  of  the  use  which  was  to  be  made  of  it  abroad — that 
those  false  and  slanderous  representations  would  be  quoted  by 
our  enemies  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic  to  prove  the 
heatkerdsh  state  of  America.  Such,  however,  is  the  fact,  a? 
appears  from  a  series  of  letters  addressed  to  the  bishop  of 
London,  by  the  Rev.  Calvin  Colton,  an  American  Presbyte- 
rian, now  (1834)  in  England,  and  a  correspondent  of  the 
New  York  Observer,  written  with  a  view  to  correct  the  mis- 
statements of  the  Bishop  and  others  on  this  very  subject. — 
And  is  it  not  as  mortifying  as  it  is  true,  to  find  that  those 
British  authors  are  borne  out  in  their  erroneous  calculations 
of  the  religious  condition  of  the  United  States  by  an  appeal 
to  the  Presbyterian  clergy  residing  therein?  When  we  have 
said,  and  solemnly  certified,  under  our  own  hand  and  seal, 
that  «we  are  a  nation  of  rogues  and  villains,"  we  ought  not, 
k2 


Hi  HELPS   TO   THE    STTTDT 

and  indeed,  in  justice,  we  cannot  think  hard  of  others  for  re- 
peating the  charge.  But,  may  we  not  hope,  that  these  cir- 
cumstances will  teach  a  useful  lesson  to  those  who  may  here- 
after write  or  speak  on  those  subjects,  for  the  edification  of 
our  British  neighbors? 

The  epithets  heathen,  savage,  and  barbarians,  were  first 
applied  by  one  nation  of  people  to  that  of  another,  I  believe, 
.shortly  after  Noah's  posterity  had  dispersed,  and  not  long 
after  the  confusion  of  tongues.  These  necessarily  divided 
families  or  tribes,  settling  in  different  countries, and  indiffer- 
ent directions,  sodn  adopted  different  modes  of  living,  actings- 
worshiping,  &c.  f  and  some  of  them  thinking  themselves  su- 
perior to  others,  (like  the  Presbyterians  now  are  by  other 
denominations)  began  to  dub  others  with  the  epithets  heathe-n. 
pagan,  &c. ;  and  consequently,  they  charged  them  with  be- 
ing the  wretched  and  forlorn  inhabitants  of  77ioral  wastes! 
But  more  of  tliis  in  its  proper  place. 

From  the  Home  Missionary  for  February,  1S30,  the  fol- 
lowing letter  is  taken,  written  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  A.Ogden^ 
of  the  Presbyterian  church, 

'^Mingdon,  Va.  Bee.   .9,   1830. 

It  is  now  eighteen  months  since  I  came  to  this  place.  It  ir* 
indeed  a  waste  and  barren  part  of  our  country.  In  this 
(".ounty,  which  has  a  population  of  from  12  to  14,000,  there 
are  only  two  preachers  of  the  Piesbyterian  denomination 
besides  myself,  unless  you  reckon  Mi'.  M'lntire,  who  preaches 
only  a  third  or  fourth  part  of  his  time  in  this  county.  But 
when  you  go  out  of  this  county  and  travel  North,  you  may 
p;o  150  or  200  miles  without  meeting  a  single  preacher  of  our 
denomination.  A  few  Methodists  are  to  be  found  in  the  dis- 
tance, but  not  3.  single  educated  clergyman. 

I  think  I  do  not  exaggerate  when  i  say,  if  you  except 
Illinois,  you  cannot  find  in  any  state  east  of  the  Mississippi. 
an  equal  extent  of  territory  as  utterly  destitute.'^ 

What  a  gloomy  description  of  Abingdon  and  of  the  county 
of  Washington,  in  the  Ancient  Dominion!  But  is  it  not 
over  wrought.^  Yes.  Mr.  Ogden  has  not  eren  intimated  in 
the  above  letter,  that  there  were  even  ministers  or  church 
members  of  any  other  denomination  in  Abingdon,  but  leaves 
the  reader  to  infer  that  the  care  of  the  whole  population  de- 
volved upon  himself  and  the  three  Presbyterian  ministers  to 
whom  he  alludes.  True,  he  does  condescend  to  say  that,  in 
the   vast  extent  of  country   7iorth  of  Abingdon,  "a  few 


OF    PRBSBTTERIAmsM.  Il5 

Methodists  are  to  be  found,"  but  then,  '«not  a  single  edu- 
cated clergyman.'^  If  it  may  in  truth  be  said  of  Abingdon, 
that  it  is  a  "waste  and  barren  part  of  our  country,"  the  same 
may  be  said  of  any  village,  town  or  city,  in  the  Union.  It 
then  contained  about  1000  inhabitants,  and  for  intelligence, 
respectful  attention  to  the  Gospel,  and  high  respectability  of 
character,  would  have  borne,  and  will  still  bear  honorable  com- 
parison with  any  town  Mr.  Ogden  was  ever  allowed  to  read 
a  little  sermon  in!  The  Holston  Annual  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  church,  had,  even  at  that  date,  been  as  often  as 
twice  debtors  to  the  hospitality  of  its  citizens;  and  the  Pres- 
byterian Synod  had  also  partaken  of  the  like  hospitality. 

And  in  addition  to  the  Presbyterian  church,  there  was  then, 
a  commodious  Methodist  church  in  Abingdon,  attended  by- 
a  large  worshipping  assembly,  the  Rev.  S.  Patton,  a  pious, 
useful,  and  talented  stationed  preacher.  Rev.  E.  F.  Sevier, 
an  ^^educated"  presiding  elder,  an  eminent  local  preacher, 
and  between  150  and  200  church  members.  That  there  was 
such  a  church  I  am  certain,  for  I  aided  in  making  it  commo- 
dious, with  my  plane,  hand-saw,  hammer,  &:c. 

In  the  county  of  Washington,  even  at  the  date  of  Mr. 
Ogden's  letter,  the  Methodists  had  fourteen  meeting  houses, 
twenty-four  places  of  regular  preaching,  seven  local  and  two 
travelling  preachers,  and  nearly  900  church  members.  And 
any  of  these  preachers,  local  or  travelling,  could,  in  point  of 
preaching  talents,  shine  Mr.  Ogden  into  the  shades. 

I  was  partially  acquainted  with  brother  Ogden;  and  on  a 
particular  occasion  in  Abingdon,  which  I  never  can  forget, 
in  company  with  the  Rev.  John  Heninger,  we  dined  together; 
and  Mr.  Ogden  had  scarcely  greased  his  mouth  with  the  vic- 
tuals set  before  him,  till  I  discovered  he  was  one  of  those 
men  ivho  thought  more  liiglily  of  himself  than  he  ought 
to  have  thought.  And  as  learned  3.9,  Mr.  Ogden  professed 
to  be,  I  know  very  well,  that  under  his  labors,  this  <^waste 
and  barren  part  of  our  country'^  was  by  no  me'ans  reclaimed 
and  made  to  blossom  as  the  rose. 

At  a  synodical  meeting,  held  in  Athens,  Tenn.  in  the  fall 
of  1830,  in  the  presence  of  several  hundred  persons,  the  Rev, 
George  Painter,  of  Wythe  county,  Va.  (in  relation  to  the 
moral  and  religious  condition  of  Western  Virginia,)  made  a 
statemantto  this  effect: — <«We  are  in  the  midst  of  a  people, 
many  of  whom  are  enemies  to  God,  and  where  there  is  but 
little  interest  felt  in  a  sacramental  meeting  when  appointed.'" 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Mclntyre,  to  whom  Mr.  Ogden  alludes  in 
his  letter,  followed  Mr.  Painter  and  said: — <<The  prospects  of 


116  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

religion  in  several  counties  in  Western  Virginia,  are  quit* 
gloomy  and  distressing." 

In  the  Hiwassean  and  Athens  Gazette,  of  the  2Sth  of  Octo- 
ber, 1830,  published  just  at  the  close  of  this  synodical  meet- 
ing, in  a  narrative  of  religion  and  pastoral  letter  to  the 
churches,  I  find  the  following  sentence:  "The  cause  of  tem- 
perance, as  reported  by  two  of  our  remote  brethren,  [alluding 
to  Painter  and  Mclntyre]  wears  a  totally  different  aspect. 
Temperance  societies  are  not.  Drinking  is  a  matter  of  uni- 
versal indulgence!!!  Drunkenness  stalks  abroad  with  un- 
blushing effrontery,  tramples  down  the  dearest  rights  of 
social  life,  and  stifles  the  finest  sensibilities  of  the  soul  !'^ 

This  same  Mr.  Mclntyre,  wrote  a  similar  account  of  the 
moral  condition  of  this  country  to  Dr.  Ely,  for  publica- 
tion in  the  Philadelphian;  and  after  it  had  appeared  in  this 
paper,  it  was  copied  into  the  Telegraph  and  Visitor,  a  Pres- 
byterian paper  published  in  Richmond,  Virginia.  The  follow- 
ing brief  extracts  are  taken  from  the  Richmond  paper: — 
*<There  are  eight  counties  here  (Western  Va.)  totally  des- 
titute of  the  regular  ministrations  of  the  Gospel." 

Mr.  Mclntyre  then  goes  on  to  say,  "this  moral  waste  has 
neither  money,  food,  nor  raiment,  to  present  the  mis- 
sionary!!" 

"Now,  the  '^eight  counties"  to  which  this  reverend  gentle- 
man alludes,  are  the  counties  of  Wythe,  Washington,  Russell, 
Scott,  Lee,  Tazewell,  Giles  and  Grayson.  Well,  as  it  re- 
gards Methodist  labors  in  seven  of  these  counties  (not 
including  Lee)  there  were,  at  that  time,  thirteen  travelling 
preachers  and  forty  local  preachers;  3,199  whites,  and  481 
colored  members  in  full  connection.  In  Lee,  there  were,  at 
that  time,  two  travelling  and  several  local  preachers,  of  the 
Methodist  order,  with  several  hundred  church  members. 

And  yet,  parson  Mclntyre,  a  huge  mass  of  self-conceit, 
would  ride  through  this  country,  with  all  these  facts  staring 
him  in  the  face,  and  sing  as  he  went: 

These  servile  sons  of  Ham, 

Seize  as  the  purchase  of  thy  blood; 
Let  all  these  heathen  know  thy  name. 

And  turn  from  Idols  to  the  living"  God! 
These  blind  Virginians  convert, 

And  shine  into  their  pagan  hearts; 
That  they  their  rights  may  now  assert, 

And  from  their  Idols  soon  depart! 
O  Lord!  in  mercy,  smile  upon  these  hills, 

I  })ray  with  gold,  the  people's  pockets  fill, 
For  they  have  * 'neither  money,  food  nor  raiment"  Lord, 

To  aid  the  missionary,  or  the  Gospel  word! 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  117 

But,  there  seems  to  have  been  no  money  in  Western  Vir- 
ginia, in  the  days  of  Mr.  Mclntyre;  and  the  "pressure  in  the 
money  market"  seems  to  have  distressed  him  as  much  or  more, 
than  the  removal  of  the  "public  deposites"  from  the  Bank  of 
the  United  States  did,  the  good  people  of  Boston  and  Phila« 
delphia.  I  have  long  since  known  that  Solomon  says; 
"money  answers  all  things" — but  I  never  knew  before,  that 
it  would  answer  the  end  and  supply  \ki^  place  of  an  Almighty 
Saviour.  But  is  it  true,  that  the  people  of  Western  Virginia 
were,  in  those  detys,  or  at  any  other  period  of  their  lives, 
destitute  of  food  and  raiment?  It  is  not  true.  Western 
Virginia  is  the  land  of  my  nativity; — there  I  have  ploughed 
and  hoed  corn: — there  I  have  seen  the  people  dressed  com- 
fortable, fashionable  and  fine;  and  so  far  as  "food"  is  con- 
cerned, I  do  know,  that  they  have  corn,  wheat,  rye,  oats, 
bacon,  beef,  butter,  cheese  and  potatoes,  in  great  abundance. 
And  these,  by  the  bye,  are  the  very  articles  for  which  Christ 
died,  according  to  Hopkinsian  Calvinism.  So  that,  if  there 
were  no  other  proof  of  this  country  abounding  with  all  these 
good  things,  we  have  sufficient  proof  of  it,  in  an  express 
article  of  the  Hopkinsian  creed,  which  says,  although  Christ 
only  purchased  eternal  life  for  the  elect;  yet,  He  purchased 
^^tejnporal  blessings  for  all  mankind" — such  as  are  named  in 
the  above  list.  And  this  same  parson  Mclntyre,  as  I  am 
informed,  seeing  that  Christ  adorned  and  beautified  the  mar- 
riage life  and  ceremony  with  his  presence,  in  Cana  of  Galilee, 
and  that  the  same  is  commended  of  St.  Paul  to  be  honorable 
among  all  men,  has,  in  this  "land  of  Nod,  on  the  east  of  Eden" 
taken  to  "himself  a  wife;"  and  he  is  now,  no  doubt,  feasting 
on  the  rich  bounties,  purchased  by  the  Saviour,  for  repro- 
bates! May  he  long  live  to  enjoy  this  "feast  of  marrow  and 
fat  things!" 


CHAPTER  n. 

KKNTUCKT,   ALMOST    DESTITUTE. 

The  following  paragragh,  giving  an  account  of  the  lost  and 
ruined  condition  of  Kentucky,  is  taken  from  the  "Visitor 
and  Telegraph,"  a  Presbyterian  paper  published  in  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  for  1829: 

•<The  editor  of  the  Home  Missionary  says,  that  recent  communications 


118  HELPS  TO  THE   STUDY 

,  assure  him,  "that  there  are  in  Kentucky  not  far  from  600,000  inhabitants, 
and  the  whole  supply  of  Presbyterian  ministers  is  only  about  fifty \  and 
these,  it  is  said,  are,  one  fourth  of  the  whole  number  of  ministers,  of  all  det- 
nominations,  in  the  state.  It  is  therefore  estimated  that  400,000  souls  in 
Kentucky,  are  destitute  of  the  stated  administrations  of  the  gospel, — 
u  hile  multitudes  seldom  hear  the  voice  of  a  Christian  minister  of  any 
kind."  "This,"  says  a  correspondent,  "will  be  seen  to  be  the  true  state 
of  things,  when  you  reflect  that  a  strip  of  country,  beginning  at  Mays- 
ville,  on  the  north  of  the  state,  running  with  the  road  through  Paris, 
Lexington,  and  Danville,  and  terminating  at  the  Rolling  Fork,  below 
Lebanon,  a  distance  of  about  130  miles,  and  embracing  a  space  of  15 
miles  on  each  side  of  the  road,  includes  nearly  three  fourths  of  all  our 
ministers,  and  perhaps  half  of  all  others  in  the  state." 

Remarks. — Far  be  it  from  me  to  represent  any  part  of  our 
country  to  be  better  than  it  really  is.  It  is  not  denied  that 
there  are  many  destitute  places  to  be  found — fields  of  mission- 
ary labor  for  devoted  preachers  of  every  denomination — but 
I  am  desirous  to  know  if  it  is  proper,  if  it  is  correct  to  dsr 
scribe  as  a  field  '^destitute  of  the  stated  administrations  of  the 
gospel" — a  barren  waste — where  <*multitudes  seldom  hear 
the  voice  of  a  Christian  minister" — places,  where  the  Gospel 
is  regularly  preached,  and  its  ordinances  administered  by 
faithful  men;  and  where  the  people  are  attentive  hearers,  and 
many  of  them  attentive  doers  of  the  word?  What!  only 
o?ieAt^/?fl?refl?«nfi?j^/yministers,exclusive  of  the  Presbyterian 
clergy,  in  Kentucky,  and  as  many  as  400,000  souls  destitute 
of  the  stated  administrations  of  the  Gospel!  This  statement 
is  now,  and  was  when  first  made,  wholly  untrue.  There 
were  in  Kentucky,  at  that  time,  near  400  effective — if  you 
please,  "competent"  Methodist  ministers,  travelling  and 
local; — and  from  the  annual  report  of  the  Baptist  tract  so- 
ciety, of  the  same  year,  it  appears  there  were  270  Baptist 
ministers;  'beside  a  number  of  ministers  belonging  to  other 
denominations.  And  if  there  had  been  no  preachers  there 
of  other  denominations,  I  may  safely  say,  there  were  no 
populated  sections  of  10  miles  square  in  the  whole  state,  in 
which  the  Gospel  was  not  preached  weekly,  and  its  ordin- 
ances regularly  administered  Dy  Methodist  preachers. 

Thus,  we  witness,  constantly,  with  regret  and  surprise,  the 
long  continued  impositions  practised  by  Presbyterian  clergy- 
men, upon  those  abroad,  by  false  statements  with  regard  to 
the  religious  destitution  of  the  south  and  vvest;  and  this  too, 
at  the  expense  of  the  feelings  and  character  of  ministers  of 
other  denominations,  and  the  i  eligious  character  of  the  people. 
And  although  Methodist  preachers  need  not  to  ask  letters  of 
commendation  from  Presbyterians — their  epistle  being  writ- 
ten in  the  hearts  of  thousands,  known  and  read  of  all  men; 


OF   PRESBYTER1A5ISM.  il9 

Still  th-cy  are  tired  of  hearing  this  exclusive  claim  to  minis- 
terial character  and  usefulness,  and  the  self-confident  assump- 
tion of  "competent"— and  '^efficient"— and  ^^regular"  min- 
isters on  the  part  of  the  Presbyterian  clergymen,  as  set  forth 
in  their  letters  and  reports.  And  as  I  am  a  sort  of  poet  at 
times,  I  would«nquire  of  these  self-styled  orthodox  gentry:— 

Where  is  thy  greatness  now?  forgotten!  gone! 

Thy  superioritj',  scatt^r'd  in  the  dust  of  time, 
And  the  bright  sun,  that  once  upon  you  shone, 

Has  located  his  glory  in  a  different  clime. 

]My  object  in  re-publishing  the  letters  and  reports  of  Pres- 
byterian missionaries,  with  subjoined  remarks,  is  to  subserve 
the  cause  of  truth,  and  at  the  same  time,  to  teach  the  authors 
of  tliose  letters  and  reports,  the  salutary  lesson  not  to  suffer 
their  zeal  to  get  too  much  the  start  of  their  knowledge,  nor 
their  veracity  to  halt  too  far  behind  both.  Therefore^  the 
next  chapter  will  be  written  on  the  subject  of  the  moral  deso- 
lations in  the  Province  of  Canada,  as  set  forth  by  two  Presby- 
terian ministers  in  the  city  of  New- York.  For  it  seems  that 
not  only  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  is  a  moral  waste,  in 
their  estimation,  but  every  other  section  of  the  globe,  where 
these  men  do  not  reign  without  a  rival.  In  one  word,  from 
the  reports  of  home  missionaries  in  the  employment  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  it  appears,  that  Presbyterian  clergy- 
men alone,  have  been  called  of  God  to  preach  the  Gospel  m 
these  United  States. 


CHAPTER  III. 

♦^'the   province  or  upper  canada  is  a  great  moral 


The  above  sentence  occurs  twice  in  the  New- York  Evan- 
gelist, for  August,  1831,  in  two  recommendations  from  two 
reverend  Presbyterians  of  the  city  of  New- York,  in  which 
they  urge  the  claims  of  Mr.  Gary,  an  agent  sent  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Upper  Canada  to  solicit  pecuniary  aid  in  behalf  ot 
a  theological  seminary,  then  in  contemplation  for  that  pro- 
vince. One  of  these  gentlemen,  in  urging  the  claims  ot 
Upper  Canada,  or  his  kindred  spirits  of  that  province,  in 
their  determination  to  establish  a  seminary  of  learning  there, 
actually  goes  on  to  say,  *nhis  seminary  is  comparatively  the 
ONLY  HOPE  under  God.''     That  it  is  right  to  establish  semin- 


120  HEIPS  TO  TH£  8TV1IY 

aries  t)l  leaJtiing  in  Canada,  and  in  every  state  and  territory 
in  the  Union>  will  not,  I  think,  be  denied  by  any  one;  but  that 
Upper  Canada  should  be  represented  as  "a  great  moral  waste/' 
in  order  to  effect  this  most  desirable  object  is  wicked,  and  it 
is  what  facts  and  the  real  state  of  things  will  not  warrant. 
That  there  ar«  many  ungodly  sinners  in  Upper  Canada,  and 
many  soul-destroying  errors  which  need  to  be  plucked  up,  I 
have  no  doubt;  but  I  happen  to  have  such  means  of  informa- 
tion, as  to  enable  me  to  know  that  in  Upper  Canada,  for  the  last 
thirty-five  years,  there  have  been  as  powerful,  and,  in  propor- 
tion to  the  number  of  the  inhabitants,  as  extensive  revivals  of 
religion,  as  have  been  witnessed  any  where  else;  and  within 
seven  or  eight  years  past  the  success  of  the  missions  under  the 
care  of  the  Methodist  conference  in  Canada,  has  truly  aston- 
ished every  one  who  has  impartially  beheld  them.  Gentle- 
men, this  over-stating  business  is  not  the  bes't  way  to  do 
good.  Reader,  it  cannot  now  be  done  as  formerly,  as  you 
very  well  know,  without  an  exposure.  It  must  be  obvious, 
that  the  want  of  accuracy  and  candor,  manifested  in  so  many 
communications  ©n  the  moral  condition  of  our  country,  not 
only  excites  a  prejudice  among  us  injurious  to  the  usefulness 
of  those  sent  out  to  labor  as  missionaries,  but  creates  a  false 
impression  abroad. 

The  population  of  Upper  Canada,  in  1831,  did  not  much 
exceed  100,000  souls.  Among  these  there  were  not  less 
than  10,000  belonging  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  or 
about  one  tenth  of  the  whole  population,  according  to  the 
minutes  of  said  church.  Add  to  these  the  Baptists,  the 
Menonists,  the  Scotct^  and  English  Presbyterians,  and  the 
members  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  it  will  be  found  that 
the  province  is  not  one  "great  moral  waste,"  as  these  libellers 
have  represented  it,  unless  they  intended  to  be  understood, 
which  was  no  doubt  the  case,  that  all  were  morally  destitute 
who  were  not  favored  with  the  ministrations  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Upper  Canada.  One  of  the  gentlemen  does,  indeed,  as- 
sume the  position  that  a  "faithful  Gospel  ministry"  cannot  be 
secured  "without  a  theological  seminary !"  If  this  position  be 
correct,  then  indeed  was  Upper  Canada  in  a  most  deplorable 
state,  for  no  such  institution  existed  there,  and  therefore  no 
"faithful  Gospel  ministry." — But  it  seems  from  an  article 
that  appeared  in  a  Canada  paper,  soon  after  these  libellous 
publications  reached  there,  that  the  people  of  that  Province, 
who  had  sat  under  what  they  considered  a  "faithful  gospel 
rninistry"  for  more  than  thirty  years,  did  not  relish  these 
things  so  well.  ' 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  121 

To  be  brief,  so  far  as  different  portions  of  our  population 
are  dependant  on  Presbyterian  ministers  for  a  supply  of  their 
religious  wants,  their  condition  is  truly  deplorable,  and  if  Mt 
without  help  from   ministers  of  other  denominations,  they 
may  in  truth  be  called  '^great  moral  wastes!"     For,  first,  but 
few  of  them   have  the  disposition  to  feed  the  wanderino- 
sheep  without  high  wages;  and  next,  still  fewer  of  them  have 
the  gifts  and  graces  to  do  so.     Happily  for  many,  however 
so  far  as  Methodism  is  concerned,  there  is,  in  its  admirable 
economy,  an  adaptiveness  to  the  various  local  habitations  and 
religious  wants  of  every  class  of  society.     Methodist  preach- 
ers generally,  like  the  venerable  founder  of  Methodism,  John 
Wesley,  say,  in  answer  to  those  who  trouble  them  <Hhe  world 
2S  my  parish.  '\     Before  I  close  this  chapter,  however,  I  will 
just  remark,  that  the  government  of  Canada,  some  time  pre- 
vious to  1831,  had  established  a  college  at  York,  the  capitol 
of  Upper  Canada,  and  that  the  Methodists  had  for  some  time 
been  pursuing   measures  for  the  establishment  of  a  literary 
institution,  to  be  located  at  Coberg,  in  the  District  of  Lan- 
caster.    And  where  is  there  a  scope  of  country,  havino-  no 
greater  population  than  that  of  t/>;?er  Canada,  where  more fhan 
two  colleges  can  be  found?     Alas!  this  enables  us  to  account 
for  the  poor  little  Presbytery  of  Upper  Canada,  having  sent 
Mr.  Gary  out  on  this  begging  expedition.     The  Presbyte- 
rians, where  ever  they  are  found,  like  Pompey  and  Cesar  of 
old,  can  neither  bear  an  equal  or  a  superior! 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DELAWARE  COUNTY,  Ix\  NEW- YORK,  A  GREAT  MORAL  WASTE. 

The  following  letter,  written  at  Delhi,  Delaware  county, 
JNew-York,  is  from  the  pen  of  a  Presbyterian  clergyman,  and 
m  the  summer  of  1831,  was  published  in  th?  Delaware 
Gazette,  the  Western  Recorder,  the  New-York  Evangelist, 
and  the  Vermont  Chronicle. 

"Dear  Sir— Permit  me,  through  the  Recorder,  to  ac- 
knowledge the  displays  and  triumphs  of  the  grace  of  God  in 
the  village  of  Delhi,  the  shire  town  of  Delaware  county. 
Until  within  a  few  months,  the  influence  of  infidelity  upon 
the  population  of  this  place,  both  in  its  naked  form  of  the 
last  century,  and  under  its  varying  specious  garbs  of  the  pres- 
ent day,  had  not  probably  a  parallel  in  the  State!    The  Bi 


i22  HELPS   TO  THE  STUDY 

ble  and  its  institutions  were  treated  ivith  rery  general  cosT' 
tempt;  and  their  influence  was  almost  wpiolly  banished 
from  the  people!  The  name  of  God  and  of  his  dear  Son,, 
were  openly  reviled  and  blasphemed,  by  men  of  the  most 
commanding  influence,  and  the  highest  standing  in  the  place. 
Some  FEEBLE  EFFORTS  had  repeatedly/  been  made  to  raise 
the  Redeemer's  standard  on  this  ground,  but  with  no  appar- 
ent success^  till  sometime  in  the  course  of  last  winter,  when, 
under  the  missionary  labors  of  Hev.  S.  G,  Orton,  the  Holy 
Spirit  gently  distilled  its  influences,  and  a  /ei^;  were  brought 
to  yield  their  hearts  to  God. 

In  April  last,  a  four  days  meeting  was  held,  which  was  at- 
tended with  very  happy  effects.  At  that  time  a  church  was 
oro-anized,  and  the  banner  of  the  gospel  was  set  up  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord.  At  the  April  meeting,  a  county  Sunday 
School  Union  was  formed,  and  efficient  measures  were  adopt- 
ed, to  extend  the  benefits  of  Bible  instruction  to  all  the  youth 
of  the  county.  The  whole  amount  of  good  done  cannot  be 
fully  estimated,  until  the  disclosures  of  the  judgment  day. 
The  little  sacramental  host  of  God's  elect  in  Delhi,  need  the 
prayers  and  aid  of  their  brethren,  in  their  present  struggle 
to  build  a  house  for  the  public  worship  of  God,  and  to  estab- 
lish among  them  the  stated  preaching  of  the  gospel.  It  de- 
volves upon  them  to  hold  up  the  banner  of  the  cross,  on  per- 
haps, THE  boldest  RAMPAUT  OF  THE  KINGDOM  OF  DARKNESS 

IN  OUR  STATE.     May  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  sustain 
them  in  the  efibrt,  and  to  him  shall  be  all  the  glory. 

Yours,  &c.  L." 

Remarks. — In  a  moral  point  of  view,  the  enterprising 
mind  of  man,  cannot  conceive  of  a  race  of  beings,  being  in  a 
more  deplorable  state,  than  this  letter  writer  represents  the 
inhabitants  of  Delaware  county  to  have  been,  in  the  summer 
of  1831.     Nor  is  the  penetration  of  an  Odipus,  at  all  neces- 
sary, to  enable  the  reader  to  determine,  whether  the  above  is 
a  portrait  drawn  by  a  faithful  artist,  or  a  hideous  caricature  hav- 
ing existence  only  in  a  distempered  imagination,  or  the  splene- 
tic efiusions  of  mortified  vanity  and  self-conceit.  From  reading 
Mr.  L's  letter,  a  person  unacquainted  with  Delhi,  would  sup- 
pose that  it  was  peopled  with  a  gang  of  Atheists,  supersti- 
tious Hindoos,  or  degraded  Hottentots,  who  led  lives  corrps- 
pondmg  with  their  professions,  and  that  none  but  "feeble" 
efierts  had  been  made  to  effect  a  reformation,  all  of  which 
proved  entirely  unavailing  until  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Orion, 
and  his  brother  L.  who  (potent  men  !)  soon  battered  down  the 
boldest  "rampart  of  the  kingdom  of  darkness  in  the  State," 


OF   PRESBTTERIANISM.  *     123 

a-md  established  the  ^'sacramental  hostof  God's  elect''  '  The 
article  in  question,  is  a  foul  libel  on  the  citizens  of  Delhi  and 
its  vicinity,  and  its  being  from  the  pen  of  a  clergyman  is  no 
extenuation  of  the. offence:  rather  it  aggravates  and  greatly 
increases  the  guilt.  '    ^ 

What  excuse  can  be  offered  for  this  flagrant  outrage,  com- 
mitted agamst  the  ^'rampart"  of  common  sense,  by  this  our 
brother  L?     I  hope  some  better  one  than  that  he  wrote  for 
the  Western  Recorder,  or  the  meridian  of  Utica,  for  effect 
abroad.     If  there  be  any  portion  of  the  great  commercial 
,  Mate,  where  the  people  have  been  favored  with  line  upon 
iine,  and  precept  upon  precept,  here  a  little,  and  therea  o-reat 
deal,  that  portion  is  Delaware  county.     The  march  of  ^reli 
gious  improvement  in  that  county,  for  a  number   years  past 
lias  been  rapid,  constant  and  onward.     The  Delaware  Coun' 
ty  Bible  Society,  reported  at  its  anniversary  in  July,  1S30 
that  every  family  in  the  county  was  supplied  with  a  copy  of 
the  scriptures.     They  then  had  not  only  a  county  Temper- 
ance Society  there,    which  would  compare  advantap-eously 
With  any  in  the  State,  hut  ^village  temperance  society  was 
lormed  there  in  the  spring  of  1829,  and  was  in  a  very  flour-  ' 
ishing  state  in  1S31,  which  to  Mr.  L.  ought  to  have  been  evi- 
dence of  a  reformation  in  morals,  removed  in  some  small  de- 
gree  from  heathenism  ! 

^    The  Methodists,  who  are  by  far  the  most  numerous  denom- 
ination m  that  county,  had  long  enjoyed  ^'stated"  preachino-. 
indeed  a  revival  had  already  commenced  among  them  which 
numbered  some  ten  or  a  dozen  converts,  before  these  rever- 
•end  gentlemen  assumed  spiritual  dictation  over  the  villao-e 
ihe  ^episcopalians  had  a  house  of  worship  in  Delhi  before 
these  men  had  paid  the  place  this  pastoral  visit,  and  had  or- 
ganized a  congregation  in  the  place  several  years  before  they 
•Duilt  said  house.     Both  the  Methodists  and  Episcopalians, 
had  flourishing  Sabbath  schools  there,  even  before  they  had 
learned  that  the  Lord  had  certainly  made  such  men  as  Messrs. 
Orton  and  L.     The  doctrines  of  the  Methodist  and  Episco- 
€al  churches  had  long  been  honestly  stated  by  the  preachers; 
no  unpopular  tenets  were  kept  in  reserve;  no  garbled  account 
xA  a  Contession  of  Faith  was  insidiously  held  out  as  a  lure  to 
decoy  the  ignorant  and  inexperienced.     Under  the  ministry 
ot  these  men,  the  people  were  not  shocked  with  irreverent 
aiid  blasphemous  expi-essions,  or  disgusted  with  the  capers  of 
a  harlequin.     They  heard  no  virulent  denunciations  of  indi- 
vidua  s,  or  of  particular  creeds,  under  the  garb  of  supplica- 
tions to  the  throne  of  grace  which  has  long  since  become  a 


I2ir  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDT 

characteristic  of  the  unfledged  clergymen  of  the  Presbyteri- 
an order. 

That  the  spirit  of  intolerance  which  has  long  been  exhibit- 
ing his  frightful  visage  among  the  Calvinistic  churches  gener- 
ally, may  take  his  departure  without  shedding  any  more  of 
his  Bohon  Upas  influence;  that  charity  without  which  reli- 
gion is  worse  than  vanity,  may  fill  the  hearts  of  all  profess- 
ors, at  least  to  a  tolerable  extent,  and  that  Heaven's  blessing 
may  descend  upon  the  other  religious  societies  in  Delhi,  as 
well  as  on  Mr.  L's  "sacramental  host  of  God's  elect,"  is  the 
sincere  prayer  and  ardent  desire  of  the  writer  of  this  chap- 
ter. 


CHAPTER  V. 

*^riVE   MILLIONS   OF    PEOPLE   IN   THE    UNITED    STATES,    ARE 
STILL  WITHOUT  A  PREACHED  GOSPEL." 

The  above  declaration  was  made  before  several  hundreds 
of  the  good  citizens  of  Cincinnati,  in  November  1832,  on  the 
Lord's  day,  in  the  second  Presbyterian  church  in  that  city^ 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Peters,  the  Secretary  of  the  Home  Mis- 
sionary Society.  Mr.  Peters  also  went  on  to  state,  that  *'In 
the  United  States,  containing  thirteen  -millions,  there  are  but 
eight  thousand  ministers  of  all  denominations."  Again:  This 
Rev.  Secretary  said,  ^'Six  years  ago  there  were  but /Aree  min- 
isters of  the  gospel  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  at  present  there 
are  but  thirty^  and  twenty-sia  of  them  were  sent  out  by  the 
Home  Missionary  Society."  He  then  added,  "Six  years  ago 
there  were  hnithree  ministers  in  Missouri,  now  there  are  but 
twenty,  and  sixteen  of  them  were  sent  by  the  same  society."' 
Now,  the  Rev.  Timothy  Flint,  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
somewhere  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  time  Mr.  Peters  says 
there  were  but  three  ministers  in  Illinois,  wrote  from  that 
State  to  a  Presbyterian  editor  of  New  Yorji,  declaring  that 
there  was  but  one  minister  in  the  State  !  Which  of  these 
slanderous  parsons  are  we  to  believe?  The  above  contradic- 
tion reminds  me  of  an  occurrence  I  once  witnessed.  At  a 
synodical  meeting  in  East  Tennessee,  where  the  Presbyteri- 
an clergy,  one  by  one,  were  giving  the  most  appalling  accounts 
ofthe  desolations  of  our  country.  Dr.  Coffin,  thenof  Knox- 
ville,  remarked  in  substance  as  follows:  "I  am  not  pastor  of 
any  regular  church,  owing  to  the  relation  I  sustain  to  the  East 


OF  PKESBYTERIANISM.  1^6 

Tennessee  College;  but  from  my  knowledge  of  Knoxville 
and  its  vicinity,  I  am  prepared  to  say,  that  much  harmony 
and  brotherly  love  prevails  among  the  citizens,  and  the  cause 
of  God  is  prospering/' 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Foster,   of  the  same  place,  came  forward 
next,  who,  being  absent  when  the  old  Doctor  made  his  state- 
ment, and  not  knowing  what  had  been  said,  remarked,  in  di- 
rect opposition  to  him:  <^Wickedness  and  party  spirit  prevail 
to  a  very  great  extent  in  Knoxville  !''     Well,  said  I  to  my- 
self, this  is  strange  work  !     Upon  leaving  the  place,  said  I  to 
an  Attorney  of  my  acquaintance, — when  you  lawyers  have 
a  difficult  cause  on  hand,  and  a  number  of  sorry  witnesses  to 
examine,   I  am  told   you  usually  get  them  out  behind  the 
house  and  drill  them,  or  learn  them  all  to  tell  the  same  story. 
With  a  significant  smile  he  replied,  <Hhe  like  has  been  done, 
and  I  think  those  preachers  ought  to  have  come  to  a  similar 
understanding  likewise. ^^     But  to  return.     At  the  time  Mr. 
Peters  disgorged  himself  in  Cincinnati,  there  were  about  fif- 
ty travelling  Methodist  preachers  in  Illinois, — there  were  for- 
ty-six in  the  Missouri  Conference;  and  there  were  many  lo- 
cal preachers  who  had  emigrated  to,  and  been  raised  up  in 
those  States,  besides  the  many  Baptists,  and  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian ministers,  preachers  of  the  United  Brethren,  &c.  &c. 
Now  Mr.  Peters,  where  do  your  five  millions  of  heathen 
live  ?  Surely  not  in  North  America.     But  what  do  these 
gentlemen  understand  by  the  terms  heathen  and  heathenism)^ 
What  countries  are  known  as  heathen  among  the  inhabitants 
of  Protestant  Christendom  in  Europe  or  America?     I  an- 
swer, those  countries  that  are  not  under  the  influence  of  the 
gospel.     Those  countries  where  other  religions  than  that  of 
the  christian  prevail;  where  idols^  the  work  of  men's  hands, 
are  objects  of  worship;  such  as  Turkey  in  Europe  and  Asia, 
China,  Japan,  Persia  and  Africa.     These  are  heathen  coun- 
tries, and  the  worship  of  idols,  brother  Peters,  is  the  heathen 
mark.     Did  ever  a  Presbyterian  missionary,  during  his  per- 
egrinations in  the  West,  find  any  persons  bowing  down  to  a 
god  of  their  own  make.^  I  think  not;  unless  they  were  some 
of  the  most  stupid  of  the  Western  Indians. 

Once  again:  The  Rev.  Thomas  A.  Morris  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  at  present  the  editor  of  the  Western 
Christian  Advocate,  was  present  in  Cincinnati,  and  heard 
Mr.  Peters  utter  these  most  appalling  religious  statistics  that 
^ver  came  to  the  ears  of  a  civilized  people;  and  Mr.  Morri? 
immediately  exposed  the  Secretary,  through  the  columns  of 
the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal.  Well,  the  burst  of  in- 
l2 


126  HEIPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

dignationsoon  became  so  great,  that  Mr.  Leavitt,  the  ^editor 
of  the  New  York  Evangelist,  and  a  near  neighbor  of  Mr. 
P's,  came  out  and  said,  "we  do  not  know  who  T.  A.  Morris 
is,  but  we  do  assuredly  know^  that  brother  Peters  never 
made  any  such  statements  as  above  represented.'^  To  this 
Mr.  Morris  replied  with  the  following  certificates,  which  put 
an  end  to  the  controversy. 

"We  do  hereby  certify,  that  we  were  at  the  second  Presby- 
terian church  and  heard  the  sermon  refered  to  by  Rev.  T.  A. 
Morris,  dated  Nov.  27,  1832;  and  we  do  recollect  that  the 
stranger,  calling  himself  the  secretary  of  the  Home  Missiona- 
ry society,  did  make  the  statements  marked  as  quotations  by 
Mr.  Morris,  and  more  especially  those  in  reference  to  the 
number  of  ministers  in  Illinois  and  Missouri,  and  that  he  did 
not  qualify  the  expressions  by  either  jwejixing  or  affixing 
any  terms  to  refer  the  members  to  any  one  church. 

JAMES  SHARP, 
J.  JORDON. 
Cincinnati,  Jan.  23,  1S33." 

"We  also  were  present  and  heard  the  sermon  above  referred 
to,  and  do  certify  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Peters  not  only  made 
such  statements,  but  we  believe  the  identical  statements 
given  by  Mr.  Morris. 

JAMES  ARMSTRONG,. 
DAVID  WHITCOMB. 
Jf/n.  23,  1833." 

In  conclusion.     By  the  last  census  of  1830,  the  population 
of  the  United  States  was    12,866,020.       From  the   bestau-^ 
thenticated  documents  for  1833,  as  collected  from  the  official 
reports  of  the  respective  denominations,  (not  including  the 
Roman  Catholics)  it  appears  that  there  are  17,.000  preachers 
in  the  United  States,  even  supposing  the  local  preachers  of 
the  Methodist  church,  not  to  number  more  than  5,000.     In 
the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  as  it  is  called,  there  were,  in 
1833,  as  many  as  22  religious  papers,  having  in  all  35,500 
subscribers.     And  in  this,  I  have  not  reckoned  the  Catholic 
papers.     In  addition  to  the  religious  papers  published  in  the 
valley,  I  ought  to  add,  that  many  thousands  of  those  publish- 
ed in  the  East,  are  circulated  here.     There  are  several  polit- 
ical papers  in  the  West,   which  also  publish  much  religious 
intelligence.     There  are  also,  a  great  many  literary  and  sci- 
entific publications  in  the  \vest,  and  most  of  them  too,  have 
quite  an  extensive  circulation.     And  now,  candid  reader,  I 
ask  you,  is  the  western  country  a  heathen  country  ?   ,  I  am 
sorry  to  see  such  highly  exceptionable  features,  in  the  major- 


OF  PRESBTTERIANISM.  127 

ity  of  the  reports  of  the  Presbyterian  missionaries.  I  allude 
to  the  sectarian  rule  by  which  the  moral  character  of  a  peo- 
ple is  estimated,  and  to  the  want  of  that  friendly  and  res- 
pectful feeling  to  which  ministers  of  other  denominations  are 
entitled — at  least,  for  their  work's  sake.  After  musterino- 
up  all  the  charity  I  am  master  of,  I  cannot  resist  the  beliel" 
that,  the  object  of  the  writers,  is  not  to  look  out  the  truly  des 
titute  and  supply  them  with  the  means  of  grace,  but  to  find 
the  people  who  are  without  a  Presbyterian  ministry;  and 
that,  in  their  opinion,  wherever  Presbyterian  ministers  are 

not  sufficiently  numerous  to  supply  the  whole  population, 

there  the  people  are  in  the  ^^region  and  shadow  of  death !" 
Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  all  such,  the  kingdom  of  Heaven 
consists  not  in  lies  and  falsehoods,  but  in  righteousness, 
peace,  truth,  fair  dealing,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

These  are  strange  times  in  which  we  live  !  Had  our  un- 
worthy brother  Peters,  given  us  this  doleful  account  of  some 
land  inhabited  by  savage  tribes— some  remote  heathen  nation 
—some  place  where  Juggernaut  and  other  sanguinary  idols 
are  worshiped,  then  might  we  have  read  the  account  with 
deep  interest.  This  brother  Peters,  I  suppose,  is  one  of  the 
many  dear  youths  who  are  so  spontaneously  produced  by  the 
red  sand  stone  mountains  of  Connecticut  river,  between 
Northampton  and  Massachusetts,  and  all  that  country  near 
the  south  line  of  Vermont !  The  geology,  geography,  cli- 
mate, inhabitants,  together  with  the  animal  and  vegetable 
productions  of  all  that  country,  are  quite  favorable  to  the 
growth  of  such  missionaries;  and  also  to  wooden  nutmeo-s, 
wooden  liams,  and  improved  patent  clocks  !  ^  ' 

And  how  very  benevolent  they  are,  in  that  they  conde- 
scend graciously,  to  crowd  to  the  "Great  West,"  and  to.  la- 
bor and  toil  among  the  most  vile  and  rude— the  most  loose, 
unchaste,  immodest,  off-scouring  of[the  whole  earth!  Sure- 
ly, if  there  be  merit  in  works  they  will  not  loose  their  re- 
ward !  What!  men  loose  their  reward,  who,  by  their  zeal, 
and  talents,  and  lofty  erudition,  through, thick  and  thin,  have 
sustained  the  honors,  and  promoted  the  vital  good  of  Chris- 
tianity, among  such  a  vast  tribe  of  untutored  savages,  as  in- 
habit the  valley  of  the  Mississippi !  -No,  really,  they  shall 
be  so  blessed  in  this  life,  that  it  may  be  said  of  them,  "they 
sat  down  to  eat  and  drink,  and  rose  up  to  play;"  and  should 
they  neglect  to  repent,  as  they  in  all  probability  will,  in  the 
life  to  come,  they  shall  be  5/e**e<i  with  everlasting  d-estruction! 

Lastly:  Upon  the  authority  of  these  filthy  little  missiona- 
ries, the  Presbyterian  prints  to  the  East,  all  unite  in  represent- 


128  HEIPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

ing  the  western  people  as  one  rast  tribe  of  ferocious  and  un- 
tutored wanderers— nay,  savages,  even  the  rudest  of  nature's 
children,  having  their  dwelling  places  west  of  the  Allegany 
mountains;  and  where,  as  in  the  republic  of  Sparta,  theft, 
instead  of  being  execrated  as  a  crime,  is  dignified  into  an  art, 
and  an  accomplishment,  and  on  that  footing  even  admitted 
into  their  system  of  education  !  These  men  and  editors,  sup- 
posing that  we  do  not  even  possess  a  single  vestige  of  amor- 
al regimen — that  we  are  even  destitute  of  the  theology  of 
conscience-^  and  that,  with  the  fierceness  and  frenzy  of  a  Gat- 
aline,  or  the  rage  and  fury  of  a  Nero,  we  traverse  the  hills 
and  valleys;  or  that  we  like  the  natives  of  Hindostan,  assem- 
ble with  delight  around  the  agonies  of  a  human  sacrifice; — 
supposing  this  to  be  our  state  I  say,  they  light  down  among 
us,  richly  laden  with  the  inconsistencies  of  Calvinism,  and 
endowed  with  prophetic  vision,  so  as  to  behold,  among  the 
yet  undiscovered  secrets  of  futurity,  the  certain  doom  of  tlie 
reprobates,   and  the  equally  certain  joys  of  the  elect ! 

And  if  the  doctrines  they  preach  to  us  be  true,  the  conclu- 
sion is  inevitable,  that  we  are  under  the  government  of  a 
malignant  and  unrighteous  God,  at  once  the  patron  of  vice 
and  the  persecutor  of  virtue.  From  the  soul-damning  influ- 
ence of  such  doctrines,  good  Lord  deliver,  even  us  poor  bar- 
barians of  the  west ! 


CHAPTER   VL 

THE  STATE  OF  INDIANA    A    GREAT  MORAL    WASTE, 

In  the  Home  Missionaiy,  for  September,  1833,  I  find  s 
communication  from  the  pen  of  the  Rev.  Moses  H.  Wilder, 
agent  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  written  from  Jefferson 
county,  Indiana,  and  headed,  *Hvide  fields  to  be  occir- 
pied!''  Mr.  W.  after  making  some  preliminary  remarks, 
and  after  speaking  of  his  extensive  tour  through  this  state, 
and  of  the  many  things  which  come  under  his  observation, 
politely  adds:  **There  is  a  missionary  field  situated  between 
Fort  Wayne  and  Logansport,  which  is  of  first  importance. 
A  town,  Huntington,  is  springing  up  on  the  Wabash,  24 
miles  from  Fort  Wayne,  on  the  line  of  the  canal,  which  is 
destined  soon  to  be  a  town  of  some  importance.  In  one  direc- 
tion there  is  no  Preshyterian  preacher  within  sixty  miles. 
There  is  one  at  Fort  Wayne,  twenty-iour  miles,  and  with 


or  PRESBTTERIAiriSM.  129 

these  two  exceptions  there  is  no  preacher  in  that  whole 

QUARTER  OF  THE  state!  !" 

Our  tract  distributor,  after  hardening  his  heart,  and  resist- 
ing the  Spirit,  till  he  had  acquired  fortitude  to  pen  the  above 
libel,  gently  proceeds:  "A  faithful  and  devoted  missionary 
would  do  more  there  now  in  one  year,  than  he  would  be  able 
to  do  in  four,  if  it  is  left  to  be  run  over  with  errors  until  that 
time.^' 

After  speaking  of  the  destitute  condition  of  Jefferson, 
Elkheart,  and  Porte  counties,  he  proceeds: — "St.  Josephs 
county  lies  next  to  the  preceding,  and  now  has  but  three  or 
four  Presbyterians  in  the  county — it  may  be  considered  the 
strong  hold  of  infidelity, ^"^ 

And  in  winding  up  his  doleful  story,  he  adds: — "These 
places  are  all  of  them  important,  but  the  two  last  are  most 
encouraging  on  account  of  support!^' 

Remarks. — To  say  nothing  of  the  religious  condition  of 
the  statje  of  Indiana,  I  am  safe  in  saying  that,  as  it  respects  the 
face  of  the  country,  and  the  soil  and  productions,  every 
thing  is  inviting.  It  is  agreeably  diversified  with  swelling 
eminences  and  fertile  plains.  There  are  no  elevations  which 
even  deserve  the  name  of  mountains.  The  hills,  though  fre- 
quent, swell  gently,  are  of  a  deep,  rich  soil,  and  well  adapted  for 
the  production  oi grain;  though  the  same  soil  will  scarcely, 
sprout  Calvinism.  The  flat  or  bottom  lands,  as  they  are  called, 
on  this  much  talked  of  Wabash,  are  remarkably  fertile.  The 
productions  are  wheat,  oats,  barley,  rye,  Indian  corn,  hemp 
and  flax;  and  either  of  the  two  last  named  articles,  would 
answer  very  well  to  hang  a  worthless  little  missionary  with. 
On  this  same  Wabash,  the  maple  affords  a  supply  of  sugar, 
and  the  salt  springs  an  abundance  of  salt.  Coal  is  also  found 
in  great  plenty  on  this  river.  With  coal,  the  good  sisters  of 
Indiana  can  cook  the  missionary's  victuals — with  salt  they  can 
season  the  same, — and  with  their  maple-sugar  they  can 
sweeten  his  cofiee,  as  they  generally  do; — and  the  missionary 
in  turn,  can  go  ofi'  and  basely  slander  them  for  their  hospi- 
tality. 

But  I  will  now  call  the  attention  of  the  reader,  to  the 
moral  condition  of  this  state.  And  first,  what  is  called  the 
Indiana  Conference  by  the  Methodists,  does  not  even  include 
all  of  the  state  of  Indiana,  a  small  part  being  embraced  in  the 
Illinois  Conference.  Still,  at  the  very  time  our  unfortunate 
brother  Wilder  published  this  i^;*/^?  report,  there  were,  in  the 
Indiana  Conference,  19,853  whites,  and  182  colored  members 
in  the  Methodist  church.     There  were,  at  the  same  time,  62 


iSO  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

travelling  preachers,  and  a  number  of  respectable  local  preadi- 
ers;  besides  "a  number  of  Baptists,  and  other  denominations- 
Yet,  because  Presbyterianism  will  not  bud  and  blossom 
there,  the  hospitable  people  of  the  state,  must  in  mass,  be 
published  to  the  world,  as  really  not  knowing  the  God  who 
made  them.  Surely  a  depravity,  a  blight,  a  to»'por  has  come 
over  the  state  of  Indiana,  comparable  to  sleep,  to  disease, 
and  to  death! 

Much  has  beep  said  and  written,  in  defence  of  the  morals 
of  the  west,  and  ably  too.  Nor  can  the  great  truth  be  too 
frequently  or  forcibly  repeated,  that,  the  moral  and  religious 
condition  of  no  country  under  the  sun,  has  been  more  basely 
slandered,  than  that  of  the  far-famed  valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. However,  in  despite  of  all  that  can  be  said  or  done, 
the  Presbyterian  clergy,  continue  to  characterize  the  western 
people  as  an  ignorant,  semi-savage,  and  a  licentious  set,  wholly 
lost  to  the  beauties  of  literature,  science,  and  moral  elevation 
of  character!  I  say  again,  too  long  has  it  been  customary 
with  these  men  to  represent  the  ^'Great  Valley,''  as  but  one 
grade  removed  from  barbarianism,  and  in  point  of  moral  cul- 
tivation a  perfect  waste,  with  the  exception  of  here  and  there 
in  places,  '*like  angel's  visits,  few  and  far  between,"  a  highly 
favored  spot,  ^^on  account  of  support,"  upon  which  some 
benignant  son  of  piety  and  science,  some  hot  headed  zealot, 
or  missionary  from  a  theological  seminary,  has  compassion- 
ately and  heroically  condescended  to  shed  a  iew  of  the  rays 
which  so  brilliantly  illuminate  the  more  highly  favored 
region  towards  the  rising  sun!  The  remainder  of  this  im- 
mense valley,  with  its  already  vast  and  rapidly  increasing 
population,  is  to  be  viewed  as  one  dark  scene  of  moral  deso- 
lation— the  blackness  of  darkness,  bordering  on  the  region  of 
the  shadow  of  death!  In  a  word,  the  western  people,  are  a 
people  ^'stricken,  smitten  of  God  and  afflicted."  No  houses 
for  the  worship  of  God — no  Sabbath  schools — no  Bible 
classes — no  catechism  meetings! — All  is  dark  and  void,  as 
when  ^'God  said  let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light!" 
Gloom,  horror,  death,  are  every  where  seen;  before,  behind, 
all  around,  desolation  spreads  its  wing,  and  death  liurls  his 
poisonousarrows,  fast  and  thick!  Yes,  verily,  when  these  men 
first  enter  a  neighborhood  or  state,  an  impervious  blackness  to 
finite  splendor  broods  over  the  people,  and  eternal  darkness 
would  ultimately  enshroud  them,  were  it  not  that,  <'light  and 
immortality"  beam  forth  through  them,  and  pierce  the  dense 
clouds  of  their  dark  horizon!     How  great  the  desolations  of 


OF  PRESBYTBRIANISM.  131 

a  country,  where  Presbyterianism  is  not  the  religion  of  the 

day! 

In  this  respect,  we  of  the  west  have  been,  and  are  still,  most 
o^rossly  abused,  and  scandalously  traduced,  in  that  we  are  repre- 
sented as  being  almost  a  blank  in  creation — a  dark  spot  on  the 
map  of  God's  universe!  Although  we  have  some  ^'giants"  in 
eloquence,  and  some  "mighty  men,"  we  are  said  to  abound  in 
savage  virtues;  and  every  attempt  is  made  to  deprive  us  of 
the  credit  of  these  productions,  as  if  it  were  impossible  for 
any  thing  of  excellence  to  be  raised  in  our  soil,  unless  culti- 
vated by  the  genius  of  Presbyterian,  Congregational,  or  Hop- 
kinsian  missionaries ! 

For  these  futile  jackalls,  who,  during  the  long  hard  winters 
of  the  North,  sit  perched  up  in  the  chimney  corner  of  some 
theological  seminary,  snuffing  the  delicious  fumes  of  the  mush- 
pot;  or  dabbling  in   a  dish  of  salmagundi;  or,  dozing  over  a 
Latin  primer,  to   sally  out  into  the  west  in  the  spring  and 
summer  seasons,  to  enlighten  the  inhabitants  thereof,  is  too 
intolerable  to  be  borne  with  any  longer.     It  is  the  business  of 
these  men,  such  as  I  have  just  been  describing,  to  produce 
where  they  go,  religious  revivals,  or  as  they  are  sometimes 
called  "awakenings."     Descriptions  of  these  revivals,  are 
regularly  trumpeted  forth  to  the  world  through  their  periodi- 
cals, in  the  manner  already  described.     The  method  of  bring- 
ing about  these  "awakenings"  is  about  this: — Some  one  or 
more  of  these  dear  youths,  who,  as  he  says,  has  left  his  daddy^s 
house,  and  come  all  the  way  here,  "for  the  good  of  souls," 
assembles  the  people  together — lectures  them  awhile — gets 
them  on  an  anxious  bench — tells  them  they  are  great  sinners, 
and  that  Christ  is  a  great  Saviour,  &c.  &c.     Finally,    some 
of  these   anxious  "submit,"  or  acknowledge  that  they  feel 
quite  miserable,  and  are  willing  to  pay  "tithes  of  mint,  anise, 
and  cumin;"  when  lo!  as  the  fruits  of  such   a  meeting,  so 
many  "hopeful  subjects"  are  said  to  have  been  "added  to  the 
church !"     To  all  who  willingly  "submit,''  to  both  their  doc- 
trines and  calls  for  money;  and  who  at  the  same  time,  confess 
that  they  are  "wretched,  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind, ' 
and  naked,"  these  good  little  Samaritans  will  kindly  say,  "thy 
sins  which  are  many,  are  all  forgiven !"     But  refuse  to  listen 
to  these  inspired  missionaries,  to  whom  "it  is  given  to  know 
the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom  of  God,"  and  they  will  forth- 
with publish  a  monthly  report  saying,  they  have  been  among 
.  a  people  "which  hath  devils  long  time,  and  wear  no  clothes, 
neither  abode  in  any  house,  but  in  the  tombs!"     Nay  verily, 
when  they  find  they  are  not  like  to  be  successful,  they  will 


132  HELPS  TO  THK   STUDY 

publish  an  appointment  in  your  neighborhood  or  village,  for 
a  f-a-r-e-w-e-l~l  sermon !  And  like  the  ^^children  sitting  in 
the  market-place,  and  calling  one  to  another,"  they  will  say, 
^<we  have  piped  unto  you,  and  ye  have  not  danced;  we  have 
mourned  to  you,  and  ye  have  not  wept!"  And  as  they  go  they 
sing:— 

*'In  vain,  with  lavish  kindness, 

The  gifts  of  God  are  strown, 
These  heathen  in  their  bhndness, 

Bow  down  to  stock  and  stone." 

But  is  this  darkness  that  might  be  felt — this  mid-night 
darkness  that  seems  congealed  to  substance,  that  covers  our 
minds,  and  casts  on  all  our  faculties  a  night-mare,  or  a  torpid 
lethargy  like  that  of  death,  what  they  are  really  laboring  to 
drive  away?  No  indeed.  They  want  a  little  money  for  the 
Sunday  School,  Bible,  Tract,  or  Missionary  Society.  And 
how  readily  they  can  quote  such  passages  as  the  following: 
^'Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  you:  good  measure,  pressed 
down,  and  shaken  together,  and  running  over!"  Truly  did 
the  Saviour  of  men  say:  "for of  the  abundance  of  the  heart 
the  mouth  speaketh." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

ARKANSAS  TERRITORY  A  GREAT  MORAL  WASTE. 

In  a  communication  from  the  pen  of  A.  W.  Lyon,  of 
Pope  county,  in  Arkansas,  bearing  date  Sept.  1833,  and  hav- 
ing for  its  caption  *'a  great  field  for  laborers,"  I  find 
a  most  appalling  account  of  the  desolations  of  that  section. 
This  communication  is  found  in  the  Home  Missionary,  and 
was  addressed  to  the  managers  of  that  society,  requesting 
them  to  send  out  help,  &c. 

After  representing  the  principal  parts  of  the  territory,  as 
wholly  destitute  of  the  means  of  grace,  the  writer  acknowl- 
edges, though  seemingly  with  reluctance;  "Other  parts  of 
the  territory  are  not  altogether  destitute  of  the  Gospel  ordin- 
ances, and  churches  of  other  denominations." 

He  proceeds:  "And  some  of  their  clergymen  are  doing 
good;  but  many  of  them  are  so  utterly  deficient,  both  in  men- 
tal and  moral  qualifications,  that  it  would  be  well  for  the 
cause  of  truth  and  righteousness,  if  they  were  any  thing 
rather  than  preachers  of  the  GospelP^ 


I 


OF   PRESB  YTBRIANISlf.  133 

Again:  <'If,  in  the  fields  of  labor  for  your  missionaries, 
you  give  the  preference  to  the  most  destitute,  I  am  sure  that 
your  society  will  not  longer  overl6ok  this  territory.''  And 
in  order  to  stimulate  the  board  to  immediate  action,  the 
%vriter  further  remarks: — "In  extent,  Arkansas  ranks  among 
the  largest  states  in' the  Union,  and  it  is  destined,  at  no  dis- 
tant day,  to  become  a  populous  member  of  the  confederacy!" 

Once  moie:  In  presenting  motives  to  influence  the  board  to 
take  possession  of  this  "great  field"  at  once,  he  says: — "At 
the  last  session  of  congress,  a  bill  was  passed,  authorizing  the 
governor  of  this  territory  to  sell  12,800  acres  of  choice  land, 
to  commence  an  institution  which  is  to  form  the  nucleus  oi  a 
college.  This  institution  will  be  committed  to  the  hands 
of  almost  any  individuals  who  are  on  the  ground  and  ca- 
pable of  conducting  it!!!^^ 

Remarks. — How  contradictory  these  men  are !  Mr.  Lyon 
admits  the  ministers  of  "other  denominations"  to  be  '^clergy- 
men,^^  andthatthey  are  "doing  good,"  notwithstanding  they 
are  "utterly  deficient,  both  in  mental  and  m,oral  qualifica- 
tions!" 

As  it  respects  the  moral  advantages  of  this  territory,  it  is 
true,  it  does  not  vie  with  the  middle  and  eastern  states,  nor 
even  the  western  states;  yet  the  Methodists,  Cumberlands, 
and  Baptists,  are  tolerably  numerous;  and  as  to  the  number  of 
"clergymen,"  belonging  to  these  "other  denominations,"  the 
writer  himself  admits  there  are  "many."  He,  at  the  same 
time  admits,  "the  Presbyterian  church  has  but  two  labourers" 
there.  In  a  territory  which  is  "destined,  at  no  distant  day, 
to  become  a  popular  member  of  the  confederacy,"  to  find  but 
two  Presbyterian  ministers,  I  would  suppose,  is  a  source  of 
very  great  affliction  indeed.  Ah  brother  Lyon !  could  you 
not  say  in  the  language  of  the  little  song,  'Hhis  is  that  that 
grieves  meV  I  am  personally  acquainted  with  several 
Methodist  preachers  in  the  territory  of  Arkansas,  and  I  do 
know,  they  are  both  able  and  ready,  at  all  times,  to  defend 
the  "cause  of  truth  and  righteousness,"  and  to  oppose  with 
success,  the  doctrines  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Alas! 
this  is  the  reason  why  they  are  so  "deficient  both  in  mental 
and  moral  qualifications. "  But  Presbyterian  ministers,  fresh 
from  their  theological  seminaries,  where  they  are  manufac- 
tured by  the  dozen  and  exported  for  domestic  missions,  as 
fast  as  the  cry  of  "moral  wastes,"  and  "destitute  regions," 
can  supply  them  with  suitable  outfits,  must  commence  the  dis- 
charge of  their  ministerial  funetions  by  denouncing  the  minis- 
ters of  all  other  denominations  as  "utterly  deficient,  both  in 
M 


13*  HELPS   TO   THE    STUBY 

mental  and  moral  qualifications!"  hoping  to  induce  others  to 
believe,  no  doubt,  that  they  who  thus  censure  the  illiteracy  of 
others,  are  indeed  learned  themselves. 

And  yet,   how  lew  of  these  men  of  learning,    so  called, 
understand  Hebrew,  Latin  or  Greek !     JNay,  how  few  of  them 
are   correct  English   scholars!     Many   of  them  are  unac- 
quainted with  the  plain  rules  of  grammar.     In  numbers,  they 
frequently  join  the  singular  and  the  plural  together,  and  con- 
found the  masculine  with  the   feminine  gender,  and  seldom 
use  the  proper  tense.     Desire  one  of  them  to  tell  you  the 
English  of  the  first  paragraph  that  occurs  in  one  of  Plato's 
dialogues.     Give  one  of  them  an  epistle  of  TuUy,  or  a  satira 
in  Virgil  or  Persius,  and  you  stall  him.     But  let  them  teii 
the  story,  and  they  are  perfect  in  the  Latin,  Greek,  Hebrew, 
French,  Arabic,  Turkish,  Coptic,  Syriac,  German,  Arminian, 
lUyrican,  Bohemian  and  English  languages!     These  are  the 
only  men,  let  them  tell  the  story,  who  are  at  all  versed  in  the 
higher  branches  of  mathematical  and  mechanical  science,  or 
know  any  thing  about   physical   astronomy!     Presbyterian 
ministers  alone,  have  ascertained  that  like  causes  will  produce 
like  efiects! — They  are  the  inventors  of  the  science  which 
compares  and   identifies  the  laws  of  motion? — They  are  the 
men  to  measure  the  magnitude  and  distance  of  the  sun  and 
planets! — They  have  discovered  that  the  action  and  reaction 
of  matter  are  equal  and  contrary,  and  that  the  moon  must  at- 
tract tlie  earth  with  an  equal  and  contrary  force ! — They  have 
discovered  that  on  account  of  the  reciprocal  action  of  matter, 
the  stability  of  the  syistem  depends  on  the  intensity  of  the 
primitive  momentum  of  the  planets! — They  have  disco- 
vered what  number  of  years  are  requisite  for  the  major  axis 
of  the  earth^s  orbit  to  accomplish  a  siderial  revolution ! — 
They  have  learned  that  the  revolutions  of  the  satellites  about 
Jupiter  are  precisely  similar  to  those  about  the  sun! — and 
they  alone  have  learned  that,  the  greatness  of  the  compres- 
sion  of  Jupiter's  spheriod  is  in  consequence  of  his  rapid 
rotation]     And  now,  with  all  this  knowledge,  how  do  they 
figure  in  the  pulpit?     Why,  verily,  after  much   labor  and 
groaning  to  get  started,  on  they  go,  reading  from  a  dead  note 
book,  to  a  mixed  multitude,  and  that  with  a  manner,  too,  as 
dead  as  the  devil  (who  always  attends  church)  could  wish  it. 
Is  it  not  a  shame,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  that  a  man  in  congress, 
or  in  a  court  of  justice,  will  speak  hours  to  the  purpose,  and 
often  in  support  of  a  doubtful  point,  without  a  note  book; 
and  yet,  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  who  has  the  range  of  three 
worlds,  heaven,  earth,  and  hell,  with  all  the  sublime  doctrines 


OF    PKBSB  YTEKIANISM.  135 

of  the  Bible  at  his  finger  ends,  can't  speak  forty-five  or  fifty 
minutes,  without  a  little  paper  book  held  up  as  an  extin- 
guisher between  his  eyes  and  the  eyes  of  his  hearers.  Were  I 
a  Presbyterian  priest,  I  would  commit  my  papers  to  the  flames, 
and  determine  to  be  second  to  none,  were  it  only  for  the 
honor  of  the  profession. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

MISSOURI   A   MORAL   WASTE. 

The  New- York  Evangelist,  of  Nov.  1833,  contains  a 
communication  over  the  signature  of  <*A.  T."  giving  a  most 
distressing  account  of  the  moral  and  religious  condition  of 
the  state  of  Missouri.  From  this  rare  production  I  will  give 
some  extracts.  The  writer,  from  both  the  matter  and  man- 
ner of  his  communication,  appears  to  be  a  Presbyterian  cler- 
gjTnan,  as  usual;  and  it  is  very  obvious,  from  his  having 
concealed  his  proper  name,  that  he  anticipated  a  reply  to  his 
libellous  publication.  After  giving  an  account  of  a  very 
powerful  camp-meeting,held  at  Doctor  Nelson's  camp-ground, 
■where  the  writer  seems  to  have  been  in  attendance,  with 
' 'others"  of  his  ' 'brethren,"  he  proceeds  as  follows:  "Here 
are  a  few  thousand  souls  scattered  over  a  wide  extent  of  coun- 
try. J^o  meeting  houses,  no  organized  societies  by  whose 
influence  sinners  may  be  brought  under  the  influence  of  truth', 
a  common  meeting  will  gather  few;  men  who  have  long  lived 
destitute  of  the  regular  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  must 
have  something  more  than  a  common  neighborhood  meeting 
to  induce  them  to  leave  their  business  and  their  pleasures; 
the  novelty,  the  interest  manifested  on  such  occasions  as  I 
have  specified,  mduces  many  to  go.  Thus  at  a  camp-meeting 
they  come  10,20,  30,  and  even  50  miles."  His  Holiness, 
the  reverend  A.  T.,  then  closes  with  the  following  soul-cheer- 
ing intelligence: — ^^txvo  or  three  hundred  have  been  con- 
verted round  in  Doctor  Nelson's  neighborhood,  in  this  way, 
the  three  past  years." 

Remarks.— Truly,  Doctor  Nelson  seems  to  have  scattered 
salvation,  in  this  benighted  region,  as  from  angel's  wings! 
Qr,  as  says  the  poet,  he  seems  to 

"Blow  rock  and  mountain  rampart  round. 
Till  glory  echoes  back  the  sound!" 

But  the  Doctor's  "two  or  three  hundred"  converts,  i* 


;i36  HEIPS   TO  THE    STUDY 

seems,  are  the  only  followers  Christ  has  in  all  this  "wide  ex- 
tent of  country. "  I  know  this  Dr.  Nelson,  and  have  heard 
him  preach;  he  was  always  an  enthusiast,  and  was  always 
upon  some  extreme.  As,  however,  his  labors  have  been  so 
abundantly  blessed  in  the  meridian  of  Boon's  lick,  "the  three 
past  years,"  there  is  reason  to  suppose  he  has  less  acrimony 
in  his  composition  now,  than  when  he  aided  in  editing  and 
publishing  the  Calvinistic  Magazine. 

But  I  shall  say  nothing  more  of  Dr.  N.,  nor  of  his  brother 
A.  T.  since  the  communication  of  the  latter,  and  not  the 
person  of  either  of  the  men,  is  the  subject  of  my  review. 

Poor  Missouri!  you  are  an  anomaly  of  wickedness,  of 
gain,  unlawful,  reckless,  unrelenting  and  polluted  deeds; 
while  your  inhabitants  are  a  set  of  dark,  oblique,  marble- 
faced,  savage-featured  beings,  whose  only  employment  in  this 
world  is,  to  oppose  God,  and  the  spread  of  his  Gospel ! 

Although  the  soil  and  climate  of  Missouri  is  very  rich, 
and  handsomely  adapted  to  the  culture  of  wheat,  maize,  hemp 
tobacco,  cattle,  hogs,  horses,  deer,  turkeys,  sheep,  buffaloes 
and  elks,  yet,  the  same  soil  and  climate,  will  scarcely  sprout 
Calvinism.  The  coldness  of  the  climate  cannot  be  the  cause 
of  this,  for  it  has  l;een  ascertained  by  actual  experiment,  that 
a  cold,  or  an  unusually  frigid  climate  suits  the  poisonous  plant 
best.  For  instance,  let  a  man  travel  into  the  ice-bound  re- 
gions of  Maine,  the  frozen  regions  of  Russia,  or  the  more 
moderate  plains  of  Geneva,  and  before  he  is  aware  of  it,  he 
will  find  himself  coming  to  the  conclusion  that,  ^'whatever  is, 
is  right  V^  It  must  be,  then,  that  the  good  sense  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Missouri,  obscures  from  the  seeds  of  Calvinism,  as 
fast  as  they  are  sown,  the  sun  of  prosperity,  and  causes  them 
to  pine  away  and  die,  before  they  even  sprout. 

Query:  Were  those  <*two  or  three  hundred"  souls  convert- 
ed under  the  preaching  of  the  Arminian  or  Calvinistic  doc- 
trines? Surely  not  under  the  preaching  of  Calvinism:  For 
I  will  venture  to  say,  that  the  bare  preaching  of  Calvinistic 
doctrines  never  did,  nor  never  will  produce  a  revival.  It  is 
only  when  Calvinistic  ministers  lay  aside  their  distinguishing 
tenets,  and  become  inconsistent,  that  is,  when  their  preaching 
is  at  variance  with  their  peculiar  doctrines,  that  they  do  any 
good. 

What!   the  preaching  of  Calvinisin  produce  a  revival ! 

What  is  there  in  this  doctrine  calculated  to  excite  volitions  in 

a  sinner  to  seek  eternal  life?    Nothing  at  all.     But  there  is 

y  thing  in  the  doctrine,  necessary  to  make  men  deists  and 

When,  therefore,  the  ministers  of  this  order  go  forth 


OF  PKESBYTERIAKISM.  137 

to  hold  a  camp-meeting,  or  to  do  good,  they  find  it  most  ear- 
pedient  to  bear  the  Methodist  armour. 

It  appears  from  the  minutes  of  the  Missouri  Conference, 
for  1833,  that  there  are  52  of  our  Mounted  Rangers, — other- 
wise circuit  preachers  there,  besides  a  number  of  local  preach- 
ers; and  as  to  our  membership,  we  have  6,103  whites,  756 
colored,  and  339  Indians.  Besides,  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terians and  Free  Will  Baptists,  are  tolerably  liUmerous  in 
Missouri.  > 

In  conclusion :  Over  the  whole  continent  of  America,  from 
the  eastern  extremity  of  Maine,  to  the  wide-spread  and  luxu- 
riant plains  of  Florida — from  the  towering  heights  of  the 
Allegany,  to  the  extreme  western  plains  of  Louisiana — from 
the  shores  of  the  Atlantic  ocean,  to  the  Rocky  mountains  be- 
yond the  Mississippi,  there  is  scarcely  the  dwelling  of  a 
white  man,  or  free  negro,  that  has  escaped  these  Presbyterian 
agents  and  missionaries: — bidden  or  unbidden,  welcome  or 
unwelcome,  these  religious  mendicants  have  entered.  On 
the  whole  inhabited  face  of  this  continent,  reader,  name,  if 
you  can,  the  dwelling,  from  the  proud  tall  mansion  of  the 
city,  to  the  thatched  hut  of  poverty,  or  of  the  forest,  whose 
inmates  have  not  been  teazed  for  money,  to  "evangelize  the 
world."  With  these  people,  priest  and  levite,  press,  pulpit, 
altar  and  sacrament,  high  place  and  low  place,  '^public  walks 
and  private  ways,"  have  all  been  put  in  requisition  for  the  at- 
tainment of  more  of  the  mammon  of  unrighteousness.  And  be- 
sides these,  the  fire  side,  the  nursery,  and  pillow,  have  been 
made  places  of  assignment,  that  in  the  endearment  of  caress- 
es, the  children,  the  wife,  the  husband,  the  servant,  and  the 
master,  might  be  induced  to  contribute  their  hard  earnings, 
which  other  means  had  failed  to  obtain.  These  religious  beg- 
gars, and  sanctimonious  pretenders  to  extraordinary  piety, 
are  as  importunate  too,  as  the  celebrated  beggar  of  London; 
and  they  are  becoming  almost  as  numerous  as  the  beg  hards 
who  sprang  up  in  Europe,  sometime  in  the  thirteenth  century. 
They  make  the  cotemporaries  of  the  old  apostles  to  say,  we 
need  all  your  ivealth!  Did  the  apostles  of  Christ,  like  the 
apostles  of  Calvin,  Hopkins,  &.co.  bawl  money!  money! 
'inoneyl  and  pretend  that  money  was  necessary  to  convert 
the  world?  Did  Christ  tell  his  disciples  to  bawl  and  beg  of 
every  man  they  met,  in  his  name,  for  money  to  enable  them 
to  save  souls?  If  he  did,  then  these  men  are  justifiable,  and 
can  bring  precept  and  example  to  authorise  their  proceedings. 
But,  if  Christ  never  gave  such  directions,  these  men  ara 
wrong.  Christ  told  his  disciples,  "provide  neither  gold,  nor 
m2 


138  HBIPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

silver,  nor  brass,  in  your  purses,"  &c.  evidently  meaning 
that  the  success  of  his  Gospel  did  not  depend  upon  these 
helps.  But  modern  Presbyterian  disciples  and  apostles,  are 
continually  bawling  money!  money!  raoney!  0  for  the 
'money!  Like  the  daughters  of  the  horseleech,  their  cry  is, 
give!  give!  give!  At  a  common  sacramental  meeting,  here 
at  home,  they  lift  from  three  to  four  collections.  They  are 
the  most  shameless  beggars  the  world  ever  produced.  Money 
is  the  aurora  borealis  of  their  religion!  0  Saviour!  where 
are  thy  followers  straying  to? 

But  to  leave  money  out  of  the  account,  it  is  hard,  to  say  the 
least  of  it,  that  these  fit  subjects  for  the  Magdalene  Asylum, 
should  be  palmed  on  the  community  for  preachers  of  the 
Gospel.  If  some  of  them  were  exhorters  in  the  IMethodist 
church,  they  would  be  silenced,  solely  too,  on  the  ground  of 
incompetency!  In  a  course  of  desultory  reading,  1  recollect 
to  have  seen  it  stated,  that  when  Frederick,  king  of  Prussia, 
proclaimed  his  new  code  of  laws,  it  rendered  lawyers  unne- 
cessary; and  a  large  body  of  them  memorialized  his  majesty, 
praying  for  relief;  and  enquiring  what  they  were  to  do?  In 
reply,  the  king  is  said  to  have  returned  this  laconic  answer: — 
^'Such  as  are  tall  enough  may  enlist  for  grenadiers,  and  the 
shortest  will  do  for  drummers  and  fifers.''  Reader,  the  ap- 
plication is  easy. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

ANDERSON    COUNTY,    IN    EAST  TENNESSEE,  A    GREAT  MORAL 
WASTE. 

The  Home  Missionary,  for  1833,  contains  a  communica- 
tion from  the  pen  of  the  Rev.  Jesse  Wimpy,  on  the  subject 
of  moral  desolations,  having  the  following  bold  sentence  for 
its  frontispiece: — ^^how  to  build  churches  among  the  des- 
titute IN  TENNESSEE !"  Mr.  Wimpy  says,  "I  was  directed 
to  this  place  in  the  providence  of  God,  by  the  fact,  that  an 
aged  lady,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  resides 
in  this  part  of  the  country!  It  is  her  ardent  desire,  that  the 
Gospel  may  be  preached  to  them;  and  her  conn^^ions  will, 
at  least,  (observe  his  grammar)  not  discountenance!!  I  have 
at  last  succeeded  in  getting  the  people  in  one  place  to  make 
some  effort  (in  numbers,  he  joins  the  singular  and  the  plural 


or  PRBSBYTEUIANISM.  139 

together!)  to  provide  a  place  for  preaching.     All  the  provis- 
ions consist  in  what  is  called  a  shedP' 

Our  missionary  next  proceeds  to  inform  the  people  toward? 
the  rising  sun,  what  he  had  accomplished  among  "the  desti- 
tute in  Tennessee^' — "In  this  place  (Anderson  county)  I  have 
organized  a  Sabbath  school  and  a  Bible  class  of  thirteen  mem- 
bers, and  might  have  had  a  number  more,  if  they  had  been 
able  to  trad ! !  At  this  place  (the  shed  in  Anderson  county !) 
I  held  a  four  day's  meeting,  including  the  third  Sabbath  of 
July.  Several  of  my  brethren  come  to  assist.  There  was 
much  feeling,  and  a  few  hopeful  conversions. ''  In  conclu- 
sion,. Mr.  W.  says,  that  in  another  settlement,  the  people 
had  ^''promised  to  build  a  shed,^^  if  he  would  only  preach  to 
them,  &c. 

Remarks. — With  this  man  Wimpy,  I  have  had  a  partial 
acquaintance,  since  the  spring  of  1828,  at  which  time,  and  for 
years  afterwards,  he  resided  in  Maryville,  the  grand  empo- 
rium ofHopkinsian  science;  where,inthe  characterof  a  ^^poor, 
indigent,  pious  young  man  for  the  ministry, '^  he  both  ate 
bread  and  wore  clothes,  he  did  not  obtain  by  the  sweat  of  his 
brovv.  In  the  first  place,  however,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church,  in  the  Tellico  circuit,  and  applied  for  a 
license  either  to  preach  or  exhort;  bu4:  in  the  judgement  of  the 
proper  authorities  of  said  church,  he  wasthought  not  to  pos- 
sess either  gifts  qv  graces  for  the  work;  whereupon  he  be- 
came displeased,  and  as  I  am  informed,  joined  the  Hopkin- 
sians.  And  subsequent  events  have  proven  that  this  opinion 
of  the  man  was  correct.  For  his  scull  was  so  impenetrably 
thick,  and  his  perceptive  powers  so  extremely  dull,  that  he 
had  to  spend  well  nigh  eight  years  in  the  seminary,  before 
he  even  acquired  a  smattering  knowledge  of  some  two  or 
three  of  the  sciences.  In  the  fall  of  1829, 1  published  a  small 
pamphlet,  in  which  I  represented  the  president  of  this  semi- 
nary, as  setting  over  a  nest,  warmingand  stirring  his  eggs,  and 
hatching  o^xi  preachers. 

Soon  after  this  pamphlet  had  appeared,  I  was  called  on  by 
some  of  my  frienils  to  explain  why  it  was  that  Wimpy  was 
so  long  hatching:  I  replied  that  he  was  a  sort  of  goose-egg, 
and  that  he  would  require  longer  time,  &c.  Twelve  monthj< 
after  this,  it  was  discovered,  that  there  were  still  no  symp- 
toms of  his  springing  into  life,  whereupon  a  shrewd  old  man 
remarked,  ''Wimpy  must  be  a  wooden  goose-egg!"  After 
so  long  a  time,  however,  he  came  forth,  "as  one  born  out  of 
due  tirne,^^  though  he  is  still  a  goslin,  and  in  point  of  intellect, 
both  '*faint  and  feeble."     He  weighs  somewhere  between 


140  HELPS   TO   THE   STUDY 

two  and  three  hundred  pounds! — has  a  quantity  of  beef  above 
his  eye-brows — his  head  being  somewhat  less  than  a  straw 
bee-gum, — and  well  nigh  as  red  as  a  woodpeckers;  while  he 
moves  about  with  all  the  vivacity  of  an  old  work  steer!  If 
he  possessed  less  longitude,  and  a  little  more  latitude,  he 
would  form  a  perfect  spheriod!  Or  if  his  circumftrence 
were  greater,  so  as  to  make  his  system  a  homogeneous  sphere 
without  rotation,  then  its  attraction  on  bodies  at  its  surface, 
would  be  every  where  the  same;  and  could  he  then  be  sus- 
pended in  open  space,  beyond  the  influence  of  other  attrac- 
tive bodies,  he  would  play  for  ever,  thereby  forming  the 
perpetual  motionl  But  alas  for  parson  Wimpy!  his  abdo- 
minal rotundity  and  corpulent  dimensions  are  such,  as  to  for 
ever  prevent  his  being  a  proper  subject  for  the  investigations 
of  philosophy,  or  the  dissertations  of  science. 

I  attended  a  Methodist  camp-meeting  in  Anderson  county,. 
a  few  weeks  after  this  quarterly  report  was  made  out,  and 
although  gross  darkness  covered  the  people,  and  the  young- 
sters were  not  able  to  read,  yet,  Mr.  W.  was  trying  to  'Hake 
to  himself  a  wife."  Really,  the  reaction  and  consecutive 
fever  of  matrimony,  even  then,  among  those  heathens,  had 
produced  quite  a  morbid  phenomenon  in  his  case.  But  these 
little  missionaries  all  have  the  "premonitory  symptoms"  of 
matrimony — others  of  them  are  in  that  state  called  the  i7i- 
cipitnt  collapse;  whWe  others  are  convalescent.  In  a  word, 
there  are  none  of  them  but  what  have  ''good  desires"  on  the 
subject  of  matrimony;  and  a  large  majority  of  them  are  daily 
seeking  an  opportunity  to  "put  forth  a  holy  choice!"  This 
same  Anderson  county,  is  one  of  the  thirteen  counties  in 
Tennessee,  which,  a  few  years  ago,  were  publicly  declared  to 
be  destitute  of  the  means  of  grace,  by  the  president  of  the 
seminary  at  Mary  ville.  This  county,  to  my  own  knowledge 
is  entirely  destitute  of  Presbyterianism-,  ihow^  the  Metho- 
dists and  Baptists,  who  are  quite  numerous  there,  supply  this 
deficiency. 

But  no  tongue  can  utter,  no  pencil  can  paint,  no  imagina- 
tion conceive  the  horrid  wickedness  which  the  holy  eyes  of 
God,  daily  and  nightly  see  perpetrated  in  those  sections  where 
Presbyterianism  is  not  the  ism  of  the  day!  Thus,  heaven- 
daring  profanity,  the  op^n  violation  of  the  Sabbath,  abomin- 
able licentiousness,  gambling,  vicious  amusements,  dishonesty, 
violence,  ignorance,  and  beastly  intemperance,  are  continually 
murdering  the  souls  and  bodies  of  thousands,  in  the  most 
moral  and  enlightened  parts  of  America,  because  the  inhabi- 
tants to  a  man,  won't  bow  to  the  image  and  superscription  the 


OP  PRESBTTERIANISM.  141 

Presbyterians  have  set  up !  And  to  cap  the  climax,  Method^ 
ism,  it  once  the  legitimate  offspring  and  prolific  parent  of  these 
and  all  other  crimes,  has  shot  far  and  wide  its  deadly  roots 
among  the  inhabitants!  For  with  these  men,  as  is  evident 
from  the  foregoing  chapters,  Methodism  and  moral  wastes 
are  sinonymous  terms.  Gentlemen,  cease  your  lying  and 
slandering,  and  in  future,  seek  our  aid.  Misrepresentation 
you  have  tried  in  vain.  Methodism  has  too  firm  a  hold  upon 
the  understandings  and  affections  of  the  people,  for  you  to 
succeed  to  any  extent  without  enlisting  its  influence  in  your 
favor.  The  people  will  believe  their  own  senses  sooner  than 
they  will  the  scribblings  of  such  as  slander  them.  I  hardly 
dare  trust  myself  to  pursue  this  subject.  Praying  the 
Great  Head  of  the  church,  to  direct  you,  reader,  to  the  best 
and  safest  results,  I  remain  yours  in  the  kingdom  and  pa~ 
tience  of  Christ. 


CHAPTER  X. 

STAWBERRT  PLAINS,  JEFFERSON  COUNTY,  EAST  TENNESSEE^, 
A  MORAL   WASTE. 

In  the  "Initial  and  Telegraph,"  for  August,  1833,  a  politi- 
cal paper  published  in  New-Market,  I  find  an  account  of  a 
three  day's  meeting  held  by  the  Rev.  James  H.  Gass,  a 
Hopkinsian  minister,  and  the  regular  pastor  of  the  Hopkin- 
sian  church  at  Strawberry  Plains.  Mr.  Gass  headed  his 
communications  thus,  *'great  revival!"  and  after  some 
preliminaries  goes  on  to  say:  "This  part  of  the  Lo7'd's 
tnoral  vineyard,  which  has  long  been  shrouded  with  the 
shroud  of  moral  death,  and  over  which  the  withering 
VENGEANCE  ofthc  Almighty  God  was  hanging,  has  began 
to  reviveV^ 

Almost  the  next  sentence  is — ''This  moral  wilderness 
andsoi.iTK^Y-pj.KC'EseemstobegladW^  Andagain:  ''The 
barren  waste  has  recently  been  visited\ ! !" 

This  meeting,  which  lasted  several  days  and  nights  together, 
would  have  continued  longer  it  seems,  but  says  Mr.  Gass, 
^'having  no  assistance  the  meeting  had  of  course  to  come  to 
a  close. "  Speaking  of  the  high  state  of  feeling  while  he  was 
preaching,  he  says,  <<never  have  I  seen  so  general  and  simul- 
taneous a  feeling,  as  was  at  that  time — it  was  truly  as  on  the 
day  of  Pentecost,  under  the  preaching  of  PeterV    Once 


14/3  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

more:  In  relation  to  the  prayer  meetings  he  had  held  in  this 
neighborhood,  and  also  its  moral  destitution,  &c.  he  remarks: 
^<I  held  a  prayer  meeting  at  Mr.  Douglass's,  which  was  the 

riRST    RELIOIOUS    MEETING    EVEH    HELD    AT  THAT  HOUSE !" 

Remarks. — This  communication  I  have  again  and  again 
read,  and  with  feelings  of  horror  and  repugnance  too;  and 
though  I  believe,  I  am  posscs.sed  of  the  charity  that  "hopeth 
all  things,''  yet,  so  far  as  Mr.  Gass's  "great  revival"  is  con- 
cerned, I  am  destitute  of  that  charity  that  ^^believetk  all 
things."  It  has  fallen  to  my  lot,  at  this  present  time,  (1834) 
to  be  travelling  in  charge  of  the  Dandridge  circuit,  in  the 
bounds  of  which  this  '^Strawberry  Plains'  church"^is  situated; 
and  I  happen  to  know  that  there  is  a  society  of  about  forty 
Methodists  there.  Having  read  this  article  the  third  time,  I 
withdrew  the  paper  from  my  eye,  and  said  to  myself — where 
am  I?  I  thought  I  was  in  the  United  States  of  America — I 
thought  I  was  in  East  Tennessee.  But  that  cannot  be.  This 
can  be  no  other  than  Spain,  Portugal,  Italy,  China,  or  de- 
graded Africa!  And  again  thought  I,  \\h2Xeentury  do  I  live 
in?  I  always  thought  that  I  lived  in  the  glorious  nineteenth. 
But  I  must  have  made  a  mistake  of  nine  at  least.  This  sure- 
ly must  be  the  tenth  century,  the  darkest  of  the  dark  ages — 
called  by  historians  the  midnight  of  time\  This  yea?', 
this  great  prelate  James  H.  Gass,  in  Je^erson  county^  caused 
such  a  move  among  the  savages  of  this  ^^moral  waste,^^  as 
has  never  been  since  the  "day  of  Pentecost,  under  the  preach- 
ing of  PeterV^  Are  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  in  the  care  of 
this  successor  of  St.  Peter?  If  so,  I  would  like  to  enjoy  his 
approving  smiles!  Truly,  a  man  unacquainted  with  the 
moral  condition  of  Jefferson  county,  would  suppose  from  the 
above  history  of  a  particular  section  of  it,  that  a  darkness 
broods  over  it  as  palpable  as  that  of  Egypt;  and  that  its  inhabi- 
tants are  at  least  a  half  a  century  behind  the  march  of  mind; 
or,  that  they,  like  so  many  unpolished  barbarians,  are  totally 
ignorant  of  the  etiquette  of  fashionable  life!  In  a  subsequent 
number  of  this  paper,  our  apostle  Q.ont\uwQshh  revivalintel' 
ligence,  in  which  he  says  thirteen  persons  were  added  to  the 
church — all  to  use  his  own  words,  ^^hopeful  casesV^  Of 
this  lieutenant,  ot  vicegerent  oi  St.  Peter,  I  confess  I  know 
but  little,  and  with  him  1  have  but  little  to  do,  since  the  com- 
munications and  not  Mr.  Gass,  are  the  subjects  of  my  review; 
and  yel,  he  himself  m^k^^s  so  prominent  a  part  of  his  two 
essays,  that  it  would  be  unpardonable  to  withhold  him  a  pass- 
ing notice.  In  his  first  communication,  in  relation  to  him* 
self  he  uses  the  persontil  pronoun  1,  eleven  times;  and  in  the 


OF  PRESBYTEBIANISMr  i4^ 

second,  speaking  of  his  preaching,  exhorting^  prayings  calling 
up  the  anxious,  &e.  he  uses  the  pronoun  I  fourteen  times^ 
Thus  /preached— /exhorted — /invited  the  anxious— / ad- 
vised them  so  and  so — /heard  them  say  so  and  so — /never 
witnessed  the  like — /  believe,  &c.  &e.  To  parse  the  diferent 
sentences  in  his  communications  syntactically,  it  will  be  seen 
that  little  else  is  necessary  but  to  understand  the  first  person 
singular,  and  to  repeat  the  rule  eleven  times  in  the  first,-  and 
fourteen  times  in  the  second,  and  a  similar  peculiarity,  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent,  in  every  respect,  will  be  found  to 
characterize  every  paragraph  in  his  two  letters.  And  it  will 
be  seen  upon  examination,  that  not  merely  the  verbage,  but  the 
sentiment,  is  thus  egotistic  throughout. 

Such  hollow-headed  arrogance,  self-importapee,.  and  false 
insinuation,  is  enough  to  shock  all  who  but  superficially  ob- 
serve the  same.  The  man  when  in  the  pulpit,  or  while  pass- 
ing to  and  fro  in  society,  is  said  to  exhibit  a  great  deal  of  sheep- 
faced  modesty,  but  when  he  writes,  he  exhibits  an  unusual 
degree  of  lion-headed  impudence.  Beside  hisfrequent  use  of 
tlie  pronoun  I,  me,  my,  mine,  &e,  too  frequently  occur  to  be- 
worth  estimating. 

But  as  it  respects  the  moral  and  religious  conditi&n  of  this 
section,  there  were,  at  the  time  these  pieces  were  published^ 
in  the  bounds  of  the  circuit  in  which  this  church  issituated, 
viz.  the  old  Sulpher  spring  circuit,  twenty  local  preachersjr 
and  about  twelve  hundred  members  in  regular  standing,  in 
tlie  Methodist  church,  besides  several  Baptist  and  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  congregations.  And  in  the  neighborhood 
of  this  Mr.  Douglass's,  where  our  brother  Peter  says  he  held 
the  first  religious  nieeting^^^  we  had  at  that  time,  live  socie- 
ties, and  regular  circuit  preaching  at  each  place. 

Beside,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  this  famous  revival 
region,  though  "solitary  place, ^'  there  were,  even  then,.  two- 
Methodist  preachers  living,  to  wit,  Messrs.  Wilkerson  and 
Stringiield,  who  in  point  of  talents  and  usefulness,  are  not 
inferior  to  any  two  Hopkinsian  preachers  in  East  Tennessee. 

I  And  yet,  strange  to  relate,  this  is  a  <^part  of  the  Lord's  moral 
vineyard,  which  has  long  been  shrouded  with  the  shroud  of 
moral  death!"  But  perhaps,  brother  Peter  does  not  con- 
sider Methodist  preachers  <<competent"  ministers.  No  veri- 
ly! Presbyterian  ministers  alone,  are  the  analyzers  of  light, 
the  inventors  of  fluxions,  and  the  demonstrators  of  the  theory 

I  of  gravitation !  They  are  literary  stars  of  the  first  magnitude ! 
They  alone,   constitute  sytematic  encyclopedias  of  all  the 

i  learning  and  science  in  our  country !     Truly,  when  we  are 
■ 


144  H^XPS  TO  THE   STtmY 

among  them,  we  are  among  spirits  of  another  order.  For  the 
most  df  them  wander  in  climes  as  remote,  almost  from  sci- 
ence, as  they  do  from  the  true  doctrines  of  Christianity.  We 
should  know  where  we  are,  as  readily,  by  their  superficial, 
but  pompous  prstensions;  by  their  bewildered,  but  most  con- 
jident  scientific  claims;  by  their  insulting  consciousness  of 
superiority,  and  most  flippant  demands  in  all  the  learning  of 
the  day,  as  we  do  by  their  infuriated  and  bitter  railings  against 
the  true  doctrines  of  the  Bible!  Before  this  brother  Peter 
of  ours,  issues  his  Third  Getieral  Epistle,  it  is  hoped,  that 
like  his  name-sake,  when  the  «^great  sheet  knit  at  the  four 
corners"  was  let  down,  "wherein  were  all  manner  of  four- 
footed  beasts  of  the  earth,  and  wild  beasts,  and  creeping  things, 
and  fowls  of  the  air,"  he  will  discover  his  error;  and  instead 
of  again  publishing  to  the  world  an  account  every  way  so 
<*common  and  unclean,"  it  is  hoped,  he  will  take  his  pen  and 
write,  "Of  a  truth  I  perceive  that  God  is  no  respecter  of  per- 
sons." For  I  repeat,  that  an  individual  unacquainted  with 
the  real  condition  of  Jeflferson  county,  would  suppose  from 
Mr.  Gass's  account  of  a  particular  section  thereof,  that 
wickedness  overspread  the  whole  county,  while  it  is  full  of 
thefts,  covetousness,  lasciviousness,  and  almost  every  species 
of  crime. 

Nay,  verily,  a  strange  reader  could  but  suppose,  that  ini- 
quity reigned  unto  death,  uncontrolled,  unchecked,  and  un- 
reproved ! 

In  conclusion,  I  again  say,  the  reports  of  these  little  mis- 
sionaries are  everi/  way  false — false  by  suppression — false 
by  denial — false  by  misrepresentation.  For,  it  is  a  princi- 
pal in  municipal  law,  that  the  suppression  of  truth  is  equiva- 
lent to  the  expression  of  falsehood;  or  as  the  law  books  say, 
'*the  former  is  more  artful  knavery."  In  Paley's  System  of 
Moral  and  Political  Philosophy,  the  same  sentiment  is  cor- 
roborated in  strong  language.  And  in  the  Bible  we  find  the 
idea  perfected.  Should  Mr.  Gass  or  any  of  his  friends,  think 
proper  to  reply  to  the  above,  I  ask  no  greater  favor  of  him  or 
them,  than  Pope  did  in  his  prayer: 


•That  mercy  I  to  others  show, 
That  mercy  show  to  me." 


OF   PRESBYTERIAN  ISM.  145 

CHAPTER  XL 

THEMARYVILLE  INTELLIGENCER  U^.  THE  METHODIST  CLERGf. 

The  '^Maryville  Intelligencer,"  of  Feb.  5,  1834,  now 
called  the  Millenial  Trumpeter,  edited  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hoyt,  a  Hopkinsian  priest,  contains  some  strictures  on  the 
piety  and  qualifications  of  the  Methodist  ministry,  under 
the  editorial  head,  which,  from  the  circumstance  of  their  be- 
ing wholly  uncalled  for,  I  cannot  permit  to  pass  unnoticed. 
This  Rev.  Editor,  in  noticing  what  he  calls  an  '^urgent  and 
eloquent  appeal  to  the  lay  members  of  the  Methodist  church 
for  the  better  support  of  their  itinerant  clergy,"  as  contained 
in  a  Methodist  paper  he  had  received  in  exchange,  says: 
*^From  this  appeal  it  would  appear  that  while  the  Discipline 
of  that  church  allows  but  a  small  salary  to  their  ministers,  viz. 
S 1 00  to  a  young  man  and  ^^200  to  a  married  man,  with  some  fur- 
ther provisions  for  his  family,  yet  little  more  than  half  of  even 
that  sum  is,  on  an  average,  obtained  by  their  ministers  in 
Tennessee.  What  can  be  the  cause?  Without  pretending  to 
give  a  FULL  answer  to  this  question,  we  shall  propose  a  few 
enquiries  for  the  consideration  of  all  whom  they  may  con- 
cern! And  first,  may  not  the  blame  rest,  in  part,  upon  the 
MINISTERS  THEMSELVES?  Were  ministers  devoted,  and 
HUMBLE,  and  prayerful,  as  they  should  be;  had  they  more 
of  the  ZEAL,  and  self-denial,  and  love,  to  their  work, 
which  characterized  the  primitive  preachers  of  the  gospel ; 
were  their  constant  preaching  and  daily  deportment  such 
as  to  be  a  living  comment  on  the  apostle's  declaration,  I  seelz 
not  yours  but  you,  would  they  not,  by  thus  gaining  the  con- 
fidence and  affection  of  the  community,  be  likely  to  receive 
a  better  support?  Ought  a  minister  who  habitually  indulges 
in  levity,  and  never  appears  more  in  his  element  than  when 
abusing  his  brethren  of  other  denominations,  to  lay  all  the 
blame  on  the  people  if  he  receives  (observe  his  grammar!)  not 
a  liberal  support?  We  once  heard  of  a  minister,  who,  on 
being  interrupted  in  his  discourse,  by  the  entrance  of  some 
pious  young  men,  of  a  different  denomination,  gave  vent  to 
his  levity  in  something  like  the  following  speech,  *Be  cooly, 
my  boys,  be  cooly,  you'r  going  to  hear  the  gospel,  and  you 
don't  often  hear  that'  This  same  preacher,  in  his  public 
prayer,  offered  a  petition  for  the  conversion  of  the  minister 
of  the  place  who  belonged  to  another  denomination,  and  for 
the  conversioji  of  all  the  members  of  his  church,  which 
N 


146  HEXFS   TO  THE   STUDY 

prayer  was  responded  to  by  the  loud  %^men  of  an  elderly  man 
present!     Would  such  an  one  who  thus  trifles  with  sacred 
things  have  reason  to  complain,  should  some  of  his  hearers 
feel  reluctant  to  aid  in  his  support?     Have  not  some,  prompted 
by  their  zeal  for  God,  rushed  into  the  ministry,  with  neither  < 
the  TALENTS  nor  information  necessary  to  make  them  use-  ; 
ful?     *The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire.'     But  he  must  be  ; 
a  laborer  who  understands  his  work;  <a  workman  that  need- 
•ethnotto  be  ashamed;' — ^thoroughly  furnished;' — 'able  by 
SOUND  doctrine  both  to  exhort  and  convince  the  gainsayers;' 
— able  to  read  his  message,  not  second-handed,  but  in  all  ' 
ordinary  cases,  as  it  is  written  in  the  original; — able  to  go  . 
to  the  fountains  of  knowledge,  and  to  bring  to  his  aid  history 
and  science  and   a   disciplined  mind,   as  well   as  a  warm 
heart! 

''Do  not  some  good  ministers  show  more  respect  to  the  rich, 
'to  him  that  w^eareth  gay  clothing,'  than  to  the  'poor  man  in  ' 
vile  raiment,'  though  'rich  in  faith?'     And  by  this  'respect  of 
persons'  diminish  not  only  their  usefulness,  but  their  means 
of  support? 

"Again:  Has  there  not  been  a  culpable  neglect  in  the  train- 
272^  of  new-converts.?  Have  the  many  thousands,  who  have  been 
received  into  the  communion  of  the-church,  during  the  late 
revivals,  been  fully  taught  the  importance  of  their  covenant- 
vows?  Have  they  been  taught  that  in  covenanting  to  be  the  ' 
Lord's  they  solemnly  vowed  to  maintain  the  ordinances  of 
his  house,  and  to  hold  all  their  property  ready  to  be  given 
up  at  the  Lord's  bidding?  Have  they  been  taught  that  it  is 
as  much  their  duty  to  give  as  to  pray,  and  that  if  they 
neglect  the  former,  the  latter  will  but  prove  them  hyj)Q' 
critesV^ 

Remarks. — To  criticise  is,  at  best,  an  invidious  and  tire- 
some task,  yet  I  have  taken  my  pen  in  hand  for  that  purpose, 
and  Mr.  Hoyt's  remarks,  in  the  Intelligencer,  present  them- 
selves as  fit  subjects  for  criticism.  First,  in  presenting  plau- 
sible opinions  to  an  intelligent  community,  I  have  ever  thought, 
that  either  originality  or  sound  doctrine  w^as  requisite.  Now 
this  far-famed  editor,  in  my  humble  opinion,  has  no  claim  to  , 
either,  unless  inconsistency  shall  be  allowed  to  pass  for  origin- 
ality, and  vague  assertions  for  reason.  Now  as  it  regards  this 
unpardonable  insult,  offered  to  "some  pious  young  men,"  the 
truth  is  as  follows:  The  writer  of  these  strictures,  was  preach- 
ing in  the  house  of  Reuben  L.  Gates,  in  the  town  of  Mary- 
Adlle,  on  the  evening  of  the  25th  of  April,  1831,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  disinterested  benevolence;  and   about  midway  the 


OF  PRESBTTERIANISM.  fir 

sermon,  these  *^pious  young  men"  commenced  clearing  up 
their  throats,  and  shuffling  their  feet,  when  the  preacher 
remarked: — ^'Keep  cool  boys,  keep  cool,  we  have  come  to 
preach  you  the  true  gospel,  and  that  is  what  you  are  not  ac- 
customed to  in  this  place." 

As  to  the  piety  of  these  "young  men,"  there  were  several 
of  them,  of  the  same  gang,  who,  as  is  well  known,  used  to 
rob  Jack  Freeman's  water-melon  patch!  And  if  I  am  not 
sadly  mistaken,  there  was  one  of  the  club  present,  who,  but  a 
few  years  before  that,  had  been  caught  up  stairs  in  the  semin- 
!ary,  playing  cards!!  Now,  if  plundering  water-melon 
patches  by  moon-light,  playing  cards,  and  sparking  Hopkin-* 
,sian  girls,  constitute  "zeal,  and  self-denial,  aud  love"  for  the 
•work"  of  the  ministry,  and  entitle  men  to  the  appellation  of 
ministers  "thoroui2;hly  furnished;" — and  such  as  are  '^able  to 
bring  to  their  aid  history  and  science,  and  a  disciplined  mind 
as  well  as  a  warm  heart,''  then  indeed,  are  many  of  the  stu- 
dents of  Maryville,  eminently  qualified  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry! 

As  to  the  prayer  offered  up  for  the  minister  of  the  place, 
and  the  members  of  his  congregation,  the  ^rz^^/i  is  as  follows: 
I  passed  through  Maryville,  early  in  the  month  of  July,  1833, 
at  which  tim.e,  there  was  among  the  Hopkinsians,  what  they 
called  "^a  revival;*'  and  having  made  a  proselyte  of  a  Metho- 
dist member,  a  Hopkinsianlady  of  some  note,  had  exultingly 
said,  that  they  then  had  all  the  Methodists  who  were  worth 
having;  and  that  they  intended  soon,  to  have  the  old  Metho- 
dist meeting  house  of  that  place,  for  Dr.  Anderson  to  put  his 
nevv  crop  of  wheat  in!  To  this,  I  replied,  that  I  would  re- 
turn on  Thursday  week,  and  that  if  the  people  would  attend 
'^t  the  Methodist  church,  at  early  candlelight,  1  would  thrash 
^ut  the  Doctor's  wheat!  Accordingly,  I  attended,  accompa- 
nied by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Gumming  and  Patton,  the  former, 
the  presiding  Elder  of  the  Knoxviile  District,  and  the  latter, 
the  preacher  in  charge  of  the  Maryville  circuit.  Well,  we 
had  a  large  audience,  and  among  the  rest,  nearly  all  the  "pi- 
bus  young  men"  of  the  place.  In  my  "public  prayer,"  be- 
fore I  read  my  text,  I  did  "offer  a  petition"  to  the  Lord,  to 
Continue  and  increase  the  revival  then  going  on,  till  all  the 
^Dcople  and  preachers  of  the  place  were  soundly  converted, 
I  also  "offered  a  petition"  in  these  words:  "Forbid  Oh  Lord ! 
^hat  the  people  of  this  place  should  any  longer  take  the  sha- 
dow  for  the  substance,  as  they  have  been  accustomed  to  do." 
But  no  exclusive  reference  was  made  to  any  particular  minis- 
ter.    Nor  did  Mr.  Gumming,  the  "'elderly  man"  alluded  to, 


148  HEiPS   TO  THE    STUDY 

respond  with  a  '^loud  amen;"  though  I  have  but  little  doubt 
that,  both  himself  and  Mr.  Patton  approved  of  the  prayer; 
and  I  know  it  was  "offered"  in  sincerity.  Now  is  it  not 
every  way  unjust,  to  misrepresent  facts  in  relation  tO  a  cer- 
tain man,  and  then  to  publish  the  narrative  in  such  way,  that 
every  one  who  reads  it,  will  fix  suspicion  on  that  man?  Well 
might  the  awful  voice  of  that  well  known  writer  and  Chris- 
tian, Bunyan,  speak  forth  and  say: 

*'0  slander!  tby  envenom'd  tongue 
Concentrates  all  the  malice  of  all  fiends." 

And  the  psalmist  David,  when  peculiarly  impressed  with  the 
» transcending  enormity  of  this  aggravated  sin,  breaks  outin  adi- 
rectenquiry  of  ^^Lord,  who  shall  abide  in  thy  tabernacle?  Who 
shall  dwell  in  thy  holj^  hill?*'  The  answer  is  from  the  Lord 
himself.  He  answ^ers  negatively ^  "He  that  backbiteth  not 
with  his  tongue;  (or  pen)  nor  doeth  evil  to  his  neighbor,  nor 
taketh  up  a  reproach  against  his  neighbor."  The  words 
backbite,  and  backbiter,  are  derived  from  the  Anglo-Saxon, 
brother  Hoyt,  and  in  the  expressive  original,  fully  convey 
the  treble  sense  of  knavishness,  cowardice,  and  brutality. 
For,  certainly,  he  is  a  knave  who  would  rob  you  of  your  good 
name;  he  is  a  coward  that  would  speak  evil  of  you  in  your 
absence,  when  he  would  not  dare  to  do  so  in  your  presence; 
and  only  an  ill-natured  dog  would  fly  at,  and  bite  you  while 
your  face  was  turned  from  him.  All  these  three  ideas  are 
conveyed  to  the  mind,  when  w^e  use  the  word — backbite;  and 
they  all  meet  in  the  detractor  and  calumniator,  whether  in 
church  or  state.  This  tongue  is  that  of  a  knave,  a  coward 
and  a  dog.  And  I  am  sorry  to  say,  that  such  plants  are  to  be 
found  in  great  abundance  in  the  meridian  of  Maryville!  But 
w^as  there  a  blot  in  the  copy  of  this  famous  prayer  and  reproof 
furnished  for  the  Intelligencer?  Or  was  the  hlot  in  the  optics 
of  its  pious  and  truth-loving  editor? 

Again:  I  think  the  charge  of  a  want  of  "talents"  and  of 
"information,''  on  the  part  of  the  Methodist  ministry,  comes 
with  quite  an  ill  grace  from  the  town  of  Maryville,  and  more 
especially  when  made  by  a  Hopkinsian  preacher.  For,  al- 
though Dr.  Anderson,  has  been  making  preachers  at  the  fac- 
tory in  that  town,  for  a  number  of  years  past,  and  has  never 
failed  to  iron,  starch,  and  finish  off,  a  half  a  dozen  or  more, 
annually;  yet,  I  have  never  heard  more  than  /i^;oof  hismake, 
who  deserved  even  the  name  ot  preachers,  though  I  have 
heard  many  of  them  try  to  preach.  That  Anderson^ s  make 
of  clergymen,  cannot  preach,  is  quite  proverbial,  throughout 
all  East  Tennessee. 


OF  PRESEYTERIANISMa  1*9 

I  repeat,  I  have  heard  many  of  these  "pious  young,  men;" 
and  I  yet  recollect,  and  never  can  forget  the  texts, — the  con- 
Venticle  act  of  countenance  and  features,  sour  aspect, — and 
voices  naturally  unpleasant,  with  Anderson's  twang,  and  de- 
livered at  the  same  time,  in  the  true  ^^ down-east^''  dialect,  as 
says  Maj.  Downing.  Oh!  for  the  pen  of  a  Smollett,  or  the 
pencil  of  a  Hogarth!  that  I  might  imprint  on  paper,  or  fix  on 
canvass,  a  true  representation  of  both  the  men,  and  the  mat- 
ter and  manner  of  their  little  .y/^eec^e^/  Truly,  as  Downing 
says,  they  are  '^genoine  down-east ersV^ 

Only  two  months  after  the  publication  of  this  article,  I  was 
at  a  Presbytery  in  Maryville,  and  heard  two  of  the  '^pious 
young  men"  of  the  place,  undergo  an  examination,  &c.  &c. 
Doctor  Anderson  proposed  the  following  sentence  for  them 
to  parse:  "This  is  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
thirty  four."  Well,  they  first  took  up  the  relative,  then  the 
verb,  next  the  article,  and  next  the  noun,  till  they  come  to 
the  *'o?ie,"  and  lo!  they  could  go  no  further  without  help! 
Exclaimed  I  to  myself,  gracious  alive!  is  this  "history  and 
science?"  It  may  not  be  amiss,  just  here,  to  add  a  few  verses 
of  poetry. 

The  st;minary's  justly  fam'd, 

For  men  of  talents  brig-ht! 
Her  sons  by  title  just,  are  nam'd, 

The  sous  of  science,  sons  of  lig'ht! 

The  sons  of  science  now  arise! 

To  lig-hten  this  benig-hted  land, 
And  mental  darkness  trembling-  flies. 

Before  this  pious  scientific  band! 

Then  let  the  world  with  one  loud  voice. 

Make  hill  and  dale,  and  valley  ring; 
Let  the  exulting  sun  rejoice, 

And  planets  in  their  courses  sing! 

They  scorn  all  wealth  and  glittering-  gold,     " 

They  scorn  the  lustre  silver  gives; 
And  strange  to  say  and  to  behold. 

On  charity's  cold  hand  they  live.' 

These  are  the  men  who  are  qualified  for  the  work  oi  the 
ministry,  while  the  Methodist  preachers  "prompted  by  their 
zeal  for  God,  have  rushed  into  the  ministry,  with  neither  the 
talents  nor  the  information  necessary  to  make  them  useful!" 
iacknowledge  the  inability  of  the  Methodist  clergy  in  many 
things.  They  have  not  strength  of  mind  to  comprehend 
things  that  are  not,  and  that  never  were;  they  cannot  pene- 
n2 


450  HELPS   TO  THE    STUDY 

trate  the  thick  cloud  encircling  the  hidden  counsels  and  secret  | 
will  of  God,  as  held  by  Calvin,  Hopkins,  &  co. ;  they  do  not 
possess  that  skill  in  Geneva  logic  by  which  they  can  make  it 
appear  that  twice  five  is  not  ten  in  France  as  well  as  in  Eng- 
land; or  that  all  means  but  d.part\  they  have  not  the  art  of 
finding  out  God's  secret  will,  which  in  every  respect  contra- 
dicts his  revealed  will;  they  cannot  see  how  it  is  that  God 
can  be  just,  and  yet,  unconditionally  reprobate  the  most 
of  mankind  to  an  eternal  hell,  without  any  reference  to 
their  own  voluntary  conduct.  These  things,  I  say,  the  ca- 
pacities of  Methodist  preachers  are  too  circumscribed  to 
understand;  but  they  have  that  which  will,  perhaps,  equally 
recommend  them  to  the  American  people — I  mean  such  a 
sense  of  their  weakness  and  deficiency  as  forbids  their  under- 
taking such  hellish  exploits. 

But  the  reason  why  Methodist  preachers  are  'hashed  into 
the  ministry"  is,  they  are  generally  called  of  God  to  the 
work;  and  by  the  same  authority,  they  are  taught  to  believe^ 
that  the  King's  business  requires  haste.  In  this  respect,  the 
Presbyterian  clergy  have  decidedly  the  advantage  of  them; 
that  is  to  say,  they  are  generally  called  by  their  parents  and 
guardians,  who,  it  seems,  allow  them  to  spend  from  five  to 
eight  years  at  a  theological  seminary,  to  make  the  necessary 
preparations;  or  to  <<bringto  their  aid  history  and  science,  and 
a  disciplined  mind." 

But  it  is  supposed  by  this  clerical  editor,  that  Methodist 
preachers^are  not  ^^able  by  souj^d  doctrine  both  to  exhort  and 
convince  the  gainsayers."  Soimd  doctrine  indeed!  The 
Methodist  doctrines  which  have  been  misrepresented  and 
caricatured  by  a  thousand  slanderous  tongues  and  pens,  have 
at  length  become  the  most  popular — otherwise  <«sound;"  and 
the  good  sense  of  the  community  causing  them  to  decide  in 
their  favor,  all  other  denominations  are  trying  to  preach 
them.  In  doctrines,  indeed,  the  Methodists  have  the  happi- 
ness of  a  unanimity  through  the  whole  extent  of  their  work, 
unexampled,  perhaps,  in  almost  any  other  denomination.  At 
least,  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the  United  States,  does  not 
afford  an  example  of  the  kind.  Since  the  system  of  divinity 
set  forth  by  Dr.  Hopkins,  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  which  is  not 
yet  half  a  century,  Calvinism  has  taken  as  many  shades,  and 
received  as  many  modifications,  as  there  are  points  of  the 
compass.  And,  verily,  in  view  of  the  conflicting  interests 
of  different  theological  seminaries  and  colleges,  both  among 
old  school  and  new  school  Presbyterians,  we  are  warranted 
in  the  belief  that  none  of  them  will  remain  of  the  same  opin- 


OF  PKESBYTERIAjriSM.  151 

ion  more  than  six  or  twelve  months  together.  What!  have 
matters  come  to  this  that  a  man  belonging  to  one  of  the  many 
jjrongs  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  cannot  be  trusted  to  keep 
his  faith  over  a  year  at  a  time!  We  are  giving  quite  a  dis- 
tressing account  of  the  church  in  the  nineteenth  century^ 
when  we  are  compelled  to  say  her  faith  is  not  yet  settled! 

Of  a  truth,  I  may  say,  Presbyterian  preachers  in  this  our 
day,  ^ ^become  all  things  to  all  men,  if  by  any  means  they 
may  gain  some.'' 

In  fact,  should  we  attempt  to  judge  of  their  doctrines  from 
their  preaching,  we  would  say  of  them,  as  Davy  Crockett 
has  said  of  politics  in  the  United  States: — ''They  do  not 
keep  in  one  way  long  enough  to  form  any  opinion  about  them." 
And  from  their  refusing  either  to  preach  or  publish  their  real 
sentiments,  one  would  suppose  they  fully  agree  with  Crockett 
in  the  following  opinion:— "Written  opinions  often  get  • 
mightily  in  a  man's  way  sometimes,  and  his  friends  can  man- 
age his  election  to  a  better  advantage  without  them. "  Indeed, 
I  have  often  discovered,  that  a  Hopkinsian  priest  could  man- 
age an  anxious  person,  or  one  he  wished  to  proselyte,  much 
better  v/ithout  the  Confession  of  Faith,  than  with  it! 

With  respect  to  the  Confession  of  Faith,  during  a  revival,  ^ 
it  is  to  a  Presbyterian  preacher,  as  Saul's  armor  was  to  David  - 
—  it  will  not  fit!  And  I  have  even  heard  of  (heir  getting  ' 
some  persons  to  join  their  church,  by  assuring  them,  that  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  church  was  goino-  to  ^ 
alter  the  Confession  of  Faith!  What  duplicity!  I  would 
heartily  recommend  the  "sacramental  host  of  God's  elect  "  ' 
to  adopt  a  creed,  or  system  of  faith,  which  fishermen,  shep-  ' 
herds,  and  gatherers  of  sycamore  fruit  can  understand  and  * 
defend,  better  than  their  theological  students,  or  even  their  - 
doctors  of  divinity !  But  it  is  said,  a  minister  should  be  ^ 
''able  to  read  his  message,  not  second-handed,  but,  in  all  or-  t 
dinary  cases,  as  it  is  written  in  the  original, "  That  is  to  say, 
he  should  be  "able,"  (as  are  the  Presbyterian  preachers  ' 
generally)  when  he  ascends  the  sacred  desk,  to  draw  from  his 
pocket  a  long  black  roll  in  the  form  of  a  tobacco  pouch)  and  ^ 
haying  taken  therefrom  a  little  paper  book,  and  having  slipped  • 
it  into  his  Bible,  to  "read"  its  contents  to  the  people,  "not  ' 
"second-handed,"  but  as  the  same  stands  in  the  book  from  -* 
which  he  borrowed  it\  And  yet,  these  dogmatical,  super-  • 
cilious,  communicative,  and  shining  pedants^  who  act  thus,  t 
are  held  up  to  all  other  ministers  as  a  model  for  them  to  go  - 
by !     What  a  pity  Homer,  Horace,  Virgil  and  Ovid,  had  not     ^ 


453  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

lived  in  this  age,  that  they  might  have  enjoyed  the  learned 
counsel  of  these  famous  scholars! 

Lord  Chesterfield  of  England,  as  well  as  Professor  Aristip- 
pus  of  Syracuse,  (so  far  as  polite  learning  is  concerned)  were 
both  fools,  when  compared  with  the  beaux  esprits  of  our 
times!  But  alas!  Presbyterian  ministers  too  generally,  take 
less  pains  to  be  polite  and  learned,  than  to  appear  so.  Were 
they  to  take  as  much  pains  to  be  what  they  ought,  as  they  do 
to  disguise  what  they  «re,  they  might  appear  like  theinselves, 
without  being  at  the  trouble  of  any  disguise  at  all.  And  this 
they  ought  to  do,  for  no  disguise  can  conceal  merit,  where  it 
is,  nor  feign  it,  where  it  is  not.  And  as  proof  of  this,  tlie 
common  people  have  become  unwilling  to  believe  any  longer, 
that  the  Presbyterian  clergy  are,  as  it  were,  nature's  art  of 
eloquence,  handsomely  epitomised,  and  fraught  with  infalli- 
ble rules! 

Once  more:  Mr.  Hoytsays,  some  ministers  "diminish  not 
only  their  usefulness,  but  their  means  of  support,"  by  show- 
ing "more  respect  to  the  rich,''  than  to  the  '-^poor  man  in  vile 
raiment."  That  some  Methodist  preachers,  in  some  in- 
sfanceSf  have  acted  out  this  kind  of  partiality,  there  is  but 
little  room  to  doubt.  At  the  same  time,  that  this  is,  and  aU 
ways  has  been,  a  comrtion  practice  with  the  Presbyterian 
clergy,  is  as  evident  as  that  two  and  two  are  four.  And  it  is 
a  little  surprising,  thata  Presbyterian  clergyman,  knowing  as 
he  must,  that  himself  and  his  clerical  associates  are  so  vulner- 
able on  this  point,  would  venture  to  touch  the  subject  at  all. 
They  will  take  wealthy  and  influential  men  into  their  church, 
according  to  rule,  contrary  to  rule,  and  over  the  head  of 
every  thing  like  rule.  For  instance,  an  honorable  circuit 
Judge  in  East  Tennessee,  but  a  few  years  ago,  remarked  to  a 
lawyer  of  his  acquaintance,  that  he  had  determined  to  join  the 
church,  sayingthathe  believed  it  would  be  of  service  to  him, 
&c.  His  friend  asked  him  what  church  he  intended  to  join: 
his  reply  was,  that  he  intended  to  join  the  Presbyterian 
church.  0  but,  said  the  lawyer,  they  won't  have  you  with- 
out religion,  and  you  say  you  have  none,  therefore  you  will 
have  to  join  the  Methodists.  But,  said  the  Judge  in  reply, 
<HvE  (myself  and  the  preacher,)  have  arranged  that  mat- 
ter!''^ I  will  mention  one  other  case.  A  certain  kinky- 
headed,  square-built,  sour-looking,  self-conceited  little  Hop- 
kinsian  preacher,  who  is  now  living  on  a  fine  farm  in  East 
Tennessee,  which  he  obtained  in  a  way  that  must  forever 
sink  him  in  the  estimation  of  honest  men,  once  requested  a 
man  of  great  wealth  to  walk  out  with  him,  and  to  converse 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM. 


153 


with  him  on  the  subject  of  religion,  &c.  &c.  Well,  having 
stepped  aside,  and  having  introduced  the  subject,  the  parson 
told  the  gentleman,  he  ''must  join  the  church,  and  join  it 
now. "  But  said  the  gentleman,  ^<I  have  no  religion,  and  the 
rules  of  your  church  don't  allow  of  my  joining  without  it." 
0  said  the  parson,  ''P II  fix  that!''  This  disgusted  the 
man,  and  he  turned  off  and  left  him,  as  he  himself  after- 
wards said.  It  is  quite  proverbial,  that  the  Presbyterian  min- 
istry, in  theirintercourse  with  the  rich  and  the  great,  in  order 
to  win  their  affections,  and  command  their  esteem,  labor  to 
set  forth  in  bold  relief,  a  suavity  of  manners,  a  placability  of 
temper,  and  a  sweetness  of  disposition  ! 

Nor  is  this  a  mere  studied  desire  to  please  only,  but  the 
spontaneous  effect  of  their  deceptive  theology.  These  men 
are  famed,  throughout  the  entire  limits  of  the  Union,  for 
their  skulking,  proselyting  and  electioneering  manoeuvres  I 
May  kind  heaven  keep  me  from  ever  stooping  so  low  !  Let 
me  rather  say  with  the  poet: — 

*'No  glory  I  covet,  nor  riches  I  want, 

Ambition  is  nothing  to  me; 
The  one  thing  I  beg  of  kind  Heaven  to  grant, 

Is  a  mind  independent  and  free.*' 

In  conclusion,  our  editor  charges  us  as  ministers,  with  a 
shameful  neglect  of  duty,  in  that  we  have  failed  to  teach  the 
"many  thousands  who  have  been  received  into  the  church," 
that  it  "is  as  much  their  duty  to  give  as  io  pray,''  &c.  &c. 

I  confess  very  readily,  that  the  Methodist  clergy  have 
neglected  to  instruct  their  people  to  this  effect.  First,  they 
do  not  believe  the  doctrine;  and  next,  the  Presbyterians  made 
an  experiment  in  the  matter  in  1826,  and  it  took  so  badly 
among  the  people,  that  we  have  never  had  fortitude  to  name 
it,  if  we  even  had  the  disposition  at  heart.  The  Presbyte- 
rian clergy,  in  1826,  throughout  East  Tennessee,  introduced 
the  tithe-paying  system,  and  preached  to  the  people,  that 
the  Mosaic  law  in  relation  to  this  subject,  was  never  abrogated, 
and,  that  it  was  still  binding  on  the  community,  to  pay  one 
tenth  of  all  their  income,  for  the  support  of  religion.  Messrs. 
Anderson,  Eagleton,  Gallaher,  Ross  and  others,  preached 
and  sanctioned  the  doctrine  in  the  pulpit,  in  various  places. 
And  several  of  these  reverend  gentlemen,  gave  it  as  their 
opinion,  that  the  omission  of  this  duty,  on  the  part  of  the 
membership,  was  the  reason  why  their  crops  of  wheat,  &c. 
were  not  more  abundant;  saying,  that  God,  as  a  punishment 
of  their  criminal  derelictions  of  duty,  sent  the  fly,  and  de- 
stroying insect,  to  lay  waste  their  grain !     While  some  of  the 


154  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

elders^  and  oih^r  nominal  officers  of  the  Presbyterian  churcli, 
were  \Yarmly  inspired  with  the  belief  of  the  divine  origin 
and  superiority  of  the  tithing  system,  it  is  due  to  the  great 
body  of  said  church  to  say  they  kicked  up  at  it!  Now,  if 
Hopkinsian  Calvinists,  who  possess  so  much  disinterested 
benevolence,  cannot  be  brought  to  bow  to  the  tithing  system, 
what  ought  we  to  expect  of  Methodists,  who  do  not  believe 
the  doctrine?  Will  brother  Hoyt,  please  give  the  public,  with 
his  usual  freedom,  his  opinion,  in  relation  to  this  question? 
My  opinion  in  relation  to  this  whole  matter,  is,  that  those 
who  thus  preach  and  write,  are  doubtless,  reaching  after  more 
than  their  just  due.  For  the  effects  of  the  tithing  system, 
we  need  only  look  into  the  present  and  past  history  of  France, 
Spain  and  England.  In  Frknce,  the  contingent  perquisites, 
paid  to  the  clergy  of  the  established  church,  far  surpasses  the 
regular  salaries  allowed  them  by  the  French  government. 
In  Spain,  the  regular  income  of  the  clergy,  is  double  that  of 
the  Spanish  government.  In  England,  the  doctrine  of  tithes 
lias  existed  as  long  as  her  political  establishment,  and  has  be- 
come more  and  more  oppressive;  till,  of  late,  there  seems  to 
be  a  desperate  struggle  to  get  rid  of  the  evils  of  the  system. 
And  yet,  grievous  and  unrighteous  as  is  this  system,  the  Pres- 
byterians are  laboring  to  new  model,  and  re-organize  it  in  the 
United  States.  Therefore,  salaries,  tithes,  &c.  &c.  are  not 
irrelevant  here:  and  more  especially  since  this  editor's  intro- 
duction of  them;  for  the  principle  is  the  same  in  all  coun- 
tries. Last  of  all; — our  Saviour,  when  here  on  earth,  neither 
received  tithes,  as  a  preacher  himself,  nor  inculcated  the  pay- 
ment of  them,  upon  others.  The  apostles,  it  is  well  known, 
neither  preached  the  doctrine  of  tithes  nor  realized  its  effects, 
which  they  certainly  would  have  done,  when  they  spoke  of 
supporting  the  ministry,  if  they  had  considered  the  Mosaic 
economy  still  in  force.  The  whole  scheme,  therefore,  is  the 
policy  of  designing  clergymen.  And  the  misery  is,  the 
great  mass  of  their  people,  are  not  only  ignorant  of  this 
their  leading  policy,  but  alas,  of  their  inconsistent  doctrines. 


OP  PRESBYTBRIANISM,  155 

CHAPTER  XII. 

A   REVIEW   OP    REV.     WIMPY's    CATECHISM    ON   CHURCH  GOV- 
ERNMENT 

It  was  my  lot  to  enter  on  public  life  at  a  time  when  East 
Tennessee  was  visited,  by  what  I  esteem  one  of  its  sorest 
scourges;  I  mean,  by  a  revival  of  the  spirit  of  Calvinistic  in- 
tolerance and  persecution.  I  almost  saw  the  commencement 
of  those  systematic  efforts,  which  have  been  •  since  develop- 
ed, for  fastening  on  the  community  the  peculiar  dogmas  of 
Hopkinsian  Calvinism.  Opinions  which  learned  and  pious 
men  of  other  orders  thought  true  and  Scriptural,  were  not 
only  assailed  as  errors^f  but  branded  as  crimes.  Then  began 
anew,  what  seems  to  me,  one  of  the  gross  immoralities  of 
our  times,  the  practice  of  aspersing  the  characters  of  exem- 
plary men,  on  the  ground  of  differences  of  opinion  in  mat- 
ters of  religious  belief. 

Then  began  those  assaults  on  the  doctrines,  discipline  and 
government,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which,  had 
they  succeeded,  would  have  prostrated  her,  and  put  an  end 
to  the  usefulness  of  her  ministry.  And  although  times  have 
changed  for  the  better,  still,  it  is  in  a  measure,  perilous  to 
search  the  scriptures  for  ourselves,  and  to  speak  freely  ac- 
cording to  the  convictions  of  our  own  minds — especially  in 
the  pulpit. 

I  verily  believe  that  the  Hopkinsians  of  this  country,  are 
the  most  inveterate  and  implacable  foes  that  Methodism  has 
to  contend  with,  in  this  or  any  other  quarter  of  the  globe. 
Some  ho^iorable  exceptions  no  doubt,  there  are;  but  as  a 
body,  they  are  the  sworn  apostles  of  bigotry,  and  servility, 
and  slander.  The  work  now  under  review,  justifies  me  in 
thus  speaking,  if  there  were  no  other  cause  for  it.  And,  to 
me,  it  is  a  painful  consideration  that  the  spirit  and  matter  of 
this  servile  production,  requires  a  plainness  of  speech,  which, 
under  any  other  circumstances,  would  seem  uncalled  for.  I 
would  rather  persuade  than  abuse, — I  would  rather  move  the 
judgment  than  the  passions — 1  would  have  zeal,  but  I  would 
have  it  ^ ^according  to  knowledge.^'  For,  those  who  make 
the  experiment,  will  doubtless  find  that  it  requires  no  little 
prayer  and  watchfulness,  to  conduct  a  controversy  of  this 
sort,  and  at  the  same  time,  preserve  that  tranquillity  of  mind 
and  equanimity  of  temper  so  requisite  for  the  impartial  in- 
vestigation of  truth,  and  not  less  necessary  for  the  peace  and 


156  HEIPS   TO  THE  STUDT 

spiritual  prosperity  of  the  soul.  This  consideration  howev« 
er,  weighty  as  it  is,  will  not  justify  us  in  ceasing  to  <<contend 
earnestly  for  the  faith.  ^'  Because,  in  the  variety  of  sects 
with  which  the  christian  community  is  divided  in  our  day,  it 
is  not  to  be  expected  that  such  an  agreement  can  be  effected 
as  to  prevent  all  controversy.  Undefiled  religion  does  not  yet 
exert  such  an  influence  over  the  hearts  and  lives  of  its  pro- 
fessed friends  and  advocates,  as  entirely  to  overcome  those 
foibles  which  are  discoverable  in  sectarian  partialities.  But 
my  warfare,  I  humbly  trust,  has  been  directed  and  influenced 
by  a  trembling  sense  of  my  fearful  and  high  responsibility 
to  God. 

The  work  under  consideration,  is  entitled  "A  short  and 
easy  catechism  on  church  government,  for  the  use  of  Presby- 
terian Families  and  Congregations.  Printed  for  J.  Wimpy ! 
Printed  at  Maryville,  Tennessee,  183S."  The  reader  will 
observe,  that  the  title  page,  in  saying  ^ Sprinted  for  J.  Wimpy," 
authorizes  the  belief  that  Mr.  W.  is  the  author  of  the  work. 
But  Mr.  Wimpy,  in  every  sense,  is  as  far  from  being  the 
author  of  this  catechism,  as  I  am  from  being  the  real  author 
of  Tom  Paine's  Age  of  Reason.  I  will  venture  to  predict, 
however  that  the  day  of  judgment,  will  fix  the  authorship  of 
this  malignant  little  work,  upon  a  reverend  gentleman  who 
resides  in  Maryville,  the  first  letter  of  whose  name  is,  Isaac 
Jlnderson!  Wim{)y,  therefore,  in  the  hands  of  this  man, 
has  permitted  himself  to  be  made  a  cafs  paw  of — a  mere 
tool  or  stalking-horse,  by  which  the  real  writer  shelters  him- 
self from  the  notice  of  the  public  eye.  Poor  Wimpy ! 

I  will  commence  with  the  38th  question,  on  page  7th. 

'Who  is  the  supreme  visible  head  of  the  Catholic  church? 

Jins.  The  Pope. 

39.  Who  is  the  supreme  visible  head  of  the  Church  of 
England? 

Jins.  The  King. 

41.  Who  is  the  supreme  visible  head  of  the  Methodist 
church  in  America? 

Ans.  Their  Bishops ! ! ! 
'  42.  Who   is   the  supreme  visible  head  of  the  Congrega- 
tional, Baptist,  and  Presbyterian  churches ! 

^ns.  They  acknowledge  no  visible  head.  They  say  an 
invisible  head,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  sufficient  without 
any  visible  head. 

43.  Which  of  all  the  Episcopal  churches  are  the  most 
monarchial  in  their  form  of  government,  in  these  United 
States? 


or  PRESBYTERIANISM*  157 

^.fiis.  The  Methodist.  On  which  account  many  have 
broken  off  and  formed  a  new  churcli. 

44.  What  is  the  Presbyterian  form  of  church  govern- 
ment? 

*.9ns.  ^i  repi'csentative  republic, ^^ 

While  this  Catechism  was  in  manuscript,  "John  Wesley 
and  the  bishops"  were  declared  by  it  to  be  the  head  of  the 
Methodist  church,  and  the  phrase^ ^supreme  visible  head" 
was  not  in  it.  But  before  it  went  to  the  press,  it  was  deemed 
proper  to  make  these  alterations.  And  still,  it  needs  to  be 
revised  again,  and  again,  and  again;  for  it  certainly  abounds 
with  false  statements,  and  false  insinuations.  That  the  Metho- 
dists do  not  regard  John  Wesley  or  their  bishops,  in  the  same 
light  in  which  the  Congregationalists,  Baptists,  and  Presby- 
terians do  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  neither  this  slanderous 
writer,  or  any  other  person  of  common  sense,  will  presume 
to  deny. 

But  because  of  Methodist  despotism,  ^-many  have  broken 
off  and  formed  a  new  church!" 

That  a  certain  set  of  malcontents,  called  Protestant 
Methodists,  who  were  < ^conceived  in  sin," — <^shapen  in 
iniquity,"— and  **born  out  of  due  time,"  have  left  us,  and 
*^formed  a  new  church,"  is  even  so. 

But  so  far  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  having 
sustained  any  injury  from  this  secession,  she  hasactuaily  been 
benefited  by  it.  Nor  is  this  a  plausible  objection  to  the  go- 
vernment of  any  church.  If  it  were,  it  would  lie  with  equal 
weight  against  the  government  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
inasmuch  as  a  sect  called  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians, 
seceded  from  the  general  Presbyterian  church,  in  1810.  Re* 
collect,  ye  our  friends,  that  two  and  two  make  four  in  France, 
as  well  as  in  England!  Again:  Is  tUe  government  of  South 
Carolina  "monarchial"  because  a  set  of  fanatics  called  nulli- 
jiers  were  unwilling  to  submit  to  it.^  Certainly  not.  What 
contemptuoussneering  might  be  hurled  againstsuch  sophistry ! 
As  to  the  republicanism  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  I  will 
give  it  a  respectful  notice  before  I  close  this  review. 

<^74.  Is  there  then  but  one  order  of  ministers  according  to 
the  New  Testament? 

»,ins.  But  one. 

75.  What  then  are  we  to  think  of  the  grades  of  ministers 
called  Popes,  Arch-Bishops,  Metropolitan  Bishops,  Diocesan 
Bishops,  Bishop,  Presiding  Elder,  Deacon>  Priest,  Circuit- 
Rider  ,&c. 


•158  HE  IPS   TO  THE   STUDT 

•^ns.  They  are  the  invention  of  man,  and  without  any  war- 
rant from  the  word  of  God."  Page  11th. 

Among  Presbyterian  and  Congregational  churches,  a  min- 
ister is  ordained  but  once,  and  this  ceremony  constitutes  him 
an  elder  or  bishop,  as  they  use  these  terms  synonymously. 
And  because  we  as  Methodists,  have  more  ordinations  than 
one,  and  designate  our  ministers  by  diflferent  titles,  our  Pres- 
byterian friends  labor  to  make  it  appear,  that  we  have  differ- 
ent orders  of  ministers,  and  that  our  bishops  and  presiding 
elders, are  looked  upon  by  us  as  a  higher  order,  which  they 
know  is  a  mistake,  charity  forbiding  me  to  say  a  falsehood. 
You  beat  the  air  gentlemen,  and  evince  an  amazing  want  of 
acquaintance  with  our  economy,  or  else  a  lamentable  want  of 
candor  in  stating  it.  We  believe  that  bishops  and  pres- 
byters, are  the  same  orders,  and  consequently  have  the 
same  right  to  ordain.  Gentlemen,  I  presume  you  are  aware 
that  the  name  bishop  is  Scriptural,  and  was  applied  to  some 
of  the  first  ministers  of  the  gospel  in  the  same  sense  that  we 
apply  it.  But,  learned  as  you  arc,  I  presume  that  many  of 
you  are  so  ignorant  as  to  need  to  be  informed,  that  the  word 
bishop,  comes  from  the  Greek  word  which  signifies  an  over- 
seer, inspector,  or  superintendent.  It  is  in  this  sense  pre- 
cisely, that  we  apply  this  term  to  those  men  whom  we  have 
ordained  bishops.  Mr.  Wesley  well  knew  the  difference 
between  the  q^ce  and  the  title.  He  knew  and  felt  the  ardu- 
ous duties  and  high  responsibility  which  attaches  to  the  one, 
and  the  comparative  nothingness  of  the  other.  He  gave  to 
those  whom  he  ordained  bishops,  the  modest,  but  highly  ex- 
pressive title  of  superintendents,  and  desired  that  no  other 
might  be  used*     See  Moore's  life  of  Wesley,  vol.  ii,  p.  280. 

The  profoundly  learned  Dr.  Adam  Clarke,  and  that  most 
able  and  eloquent  divine,  the  Rev.  Richard  Watson,  publicly 
declared,  in  the  British  conference  held  in  Liverpool,  in  1820, 
that  our  Episcopacy,  is  a  true,  actual,  scriptural  Episcopacy, 
of  the  most  genuine  and  apostolical  character.  The  same 
is  also  true,  according  to  the  writings  of  Dr.  Stillingfleet. 

In  further  consideration  of  the  ministry,  (so  far  as  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  is  concerned)  I  will  subjoin  the 
following  extract  from  a  report  of  the  general  conference  of 
1828,  on  '^petitionsand  memorials:" — <'The  great  Head  of 
the  church  himself  has  imposed  on  us  the  duty  of  preaching 
the  gospel,  of  administering  its  ordinances,  and  of  maintain- 
ing its  moral  discipline  among  those  over  whom  the  Holy 
Ghost,  in  these  respects,  has  made  us  overseers.  Of  these 
also,  namely,  of  gospel  doctrines,  ordinances,  and  moral  dis- 


OF   PRESBTTEIIIANISM.  15^ 

cipJine,  we  do  believe  that  the  divinely  instituted  ^inis> 
TRY  are  the  divinely  authorised  expounders^  and  that 
the  duty  of  maintaining  them  in  their  purity,  and  of  not  per^ 
mitting  our  ministrations,  in  these  respects,  to  be  authorita- 
tively controlled  by  others,  does  rest  upon  us  with  the  force 
-of  a  moral  obligation,  in  the  due  discharge  of  which  our  con- 
sciences are  involved. " 

<<76.  What  rights  and  privileges  are  secured  to  the  private 
members  of  the  church  by  the  laws  of  Christ? 

^ns.  The  right  of  choosing  their  own  officers. 

77.   Have  Methodists  this  right? 

Jins.  They  have  not  the  right  of  choosing  ^\\  their  church 
officers,  if  they  have  the  right  of  choosing  any  of  theinJ^ 

A  church,  according  to  Walker,  is  **The  collective  body 
of  christians;  the  place  consecrated  to  the  worship  of  God, 
assembly  of  christians."  A  christian  church  then,  I  consid- 
er to  be  a  society  of  faithful  and  holy  men,  voluntarily  asso- 
ciated for  the  purposes  of  public  worship,'  mutual  edification, 
the  participation  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  the  propagation 
of  Christianity:  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  its  spiritual  Head; 
and  only  such  as  have  given  themselves  unto  the  Redeemer, 
and  are  spiritually  united  to  Him,  are  members.  Now,  that 
the  members  composing  any  one  church,  have  a  right  to 
choose  their  officers  I  readily  allow;  and  that  this  right  has 
not  been  denied  the  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  I  will 
show  in  the  sequel.  But,  before  I  proceed  further,  I  will  say 
something  on  the  subject  of  church  tiials-,  and  this  I  do  the 
more  readily,  because  the  Presbyterians  are  always  harping 
on  the  unlimited  power  of  a  circuit  preacher,  presiding  el- 
der, or  bishop. 

As  much  has  been  said  respecting  our  disciplinary  manner 
of  bringing  to  trial  disorderly  persons,  I  will  first  quote  the  ar- 
ticle from  the  discipline,  and,  secondly,  make  a  few  remarks 
upon  it. 

^* Quest.  How  shalljan  accused  member  be  brought  to  trial? 

*.djis.  Before  the  society  of  which  he  is  a  member,  or  a  se- 
lect number  of  them,  in  the  presence  of  a  bishop,  elder,  dea- 
con, or  preacher,  in  the  following  manner;— Let  the  accused 
and  the  accuser  he  brought  face  to  face;  but  if  this  cannot  be 
done,  let  the  next  best  evidence  be  procured.  If  the  accus- 
ed person  be  found  guilty  by  the  decision  of  a  majority  of 
the  members  before  whom  he  is  brought  to  trial,  and  the 
crime  be  such  as  is  expresisly  forbidden  by  the  word  of  God, 
sufficient  to  exclude  a  person  from  tho  kingdom  of  grace  and 
glory,  let  the  minister  or  preacher  who  has  the  charge  of  the 


I 


1 6iJ  HE  LPS   f  0  T  H  E   S  T  U  D  Y 

circuit,  ^xpel  him.  If  the  accused  person  evade  a  trial  by 
absenting  himself,  after  sufficient  notice  given  him,  and  the 
circumstances  of  the  accusation  be  strong  and  presumptive, 
let  him  be  esteemed  as  guilty,  and  be  accordingly  excluded. 
— Witnesses  from  without  shall  not  be  rejected.^' 

Again,  says  our  Discipline:  "If  there  be  a  murmur  or 
complaint  from^any  excluded  person,  in  any  of  the  above- 
mentioned  instances,  that  justice  has  not  been  done,  he  shall 
be  allowed  an  appeal,  to  the  next  quarterly  meeting  confer- 
ence, except  such  as  absent  themselves  from  trial,  after 
sufficient  notice  is  given  them:  and  the  majority  of  the 
travelling  and  local  preachers,  exhorters,  stewards,  and  lead- 
ers present,  shall  finally  determine  the  case.'' 

That  part  of  this  section  which  has  been  most  objected  to, 
is  the  liberty  of  bringing  a  person  to  trial  before  a  '^select 
number''  of  the  society,  because  it  allows  ihe  jjreacher  the 
liberty  of  choosing  the  committee,  and  therefore  gives  him* 
an  advantage  over  the  accused,  which  may  prove  prejudicial 
to  the  interests  of  one  or  the  other  of  the  parties  concerned. 
To  this  grave  objection  I  reply,  the  parties  are  always  allow- 
ed to  reject  any  person  or  persons  against  whom  a  scriptural 
or  reasonable  objection  can  be  raised.  This,  therefore,  will 
always  prevent  an  oppressive  or  unjustifiable  operation  of  the 
rule.  Beside  this,  an  accused  member  in  the  Methodist 
church,  if  he  choose,  can  have  the  liberty  of  being  tried  by 
the  society  of  which  he  is  a  member,  in  committee  of  the 
whole. 

As  to  ^Hvitnesses  from  without,"  it  is  plain  to  be  seen,  that 
we  will  hear  them,  and  if  they  be  respectable  we  will  credit 
w^hat  they  say.  Nor  does  it  matter  with  us,  whether  they 
are  members  of  any  church  or  not.  But,  both  the  old~side- 
Presbyterians,  and  Cumberlands,  frequently  require  persons 
not  of  their  order,  to  be  sworn;  and  some  for  refusing  to  be 
sworn,  have  been  rejected.  As  to  the  Baptists,  they  are  de^- 
cidedly  of  the  opinion,  that  persons  not  of  their  fold,  are  in- 
capable of  telling  or  even  swearing  the  truth,  on  an  occasion 
of  this  kind.  But  let  us  compare  our  mode  of  trial  with  the 
'^Church  Session"  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

"The  church  session  consists  of  the  pastor  or  pastors  and 
ruling  elders  of  a  particular  congregation." 

Once  more:  "This  church  session  is  charged  with  main- 
taining the  spiritual  government  of  the  congregation;  for 
v^rhich  purpose  they  have  power  to  inquire  into  the  knowledge 
and  christian  conduct  of  the  members  of  the  church;  to  call 
before  them  offenders  and  witnesses,  being  members  07^ 


or  PRBSBYTBRIAI^ISM.  ±61 

THEIR  OWN  CONGREGATION,  and  to  introduce  other  witnesses 
where  it  may  be  necessary  to  bring  the  process  to  trial,  and 
when  they  can  be  procured  to  attend;  to  receive  members  in- 
to the  church;  to  admonish,  to  rebuke,  to  suspend,  or  ex- 
clude from  the  sacraments,  those  who  are  found  to  deserve 
censure;  to  concert  the  best  measures  for  promoting  the  spir- 
itual interests  of  the  congregation,  and  to  appoint  delegates 
to  the  higher  judicatories  of  the  church."  [See  constitution, 
&:c.  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  p.  356.]  Now  though  these 
*  ^ruling  elders'^  are  chosen  by  the  congregation,  they  are  nev- 
ertheless chosen  for  life,  as  the  sanie  authority  says. 

Here,  then,  is  d.  perpetual  ecclesiastical  court,'  to  which, 
however  serious  or  weighty  may  be  the  objections  against 
any  or  all  of  them,  the  supposed  offender  must  submit  his 
cause. 

And  while  this  ecclesiastical  tribunal  created  ex-officio^ 
made  up  of  officers  chosen  for  life,  ^'receive  members  into'^ 
the  Presbyterian  church,  a  member  is  '-'received  into"  the 
Methodist  church,  by  the  voice  of  a  whole  class!  And  it 
may  not  be  amiss,  to  state  just  here,  that  in  the  Presbyterian 
Confession  of  Faith,  it  is  said,  that  to  these  "ruling  elders" 
are  committed  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  and  that 
they  have  power  to  remit  or  retain  sins. 

Why,  verily,  they  are  fair  Popes  of  fellows!  Methodist 
preachers,  exhorters,  stewards,  and  leaders,  have  no  such 
power  as  this.  If  Presbyterian  clergymen  will  look  to  their 
own  church  government,  they  will  find  defects  and  blemish- 
es enough  to  call  into  action  all  the  powers  of  their  gigantic 
minds,  without  wasting  their  time  and  talents,  in  trying  to 
improve  the  government  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
But  more  of  the  catechism. 

''7S.  What  second  right  is  secured  to  the  people  by  the 
laws  of  Christ? 

Jins.  The  right  of  being  represented  in  ecclesiastical  judi- 
catures by  delegates  of  their  own  choosing. 

79.  Have  Methodists  this  right? 

Ans.  They  have  not.     See  their  discipline^ 

80.  What  other  right  is  secured  to  the  people? 

Ans.  To  choose  their  own  pastor,  and  to  have  him  to  re» 
side  among  them. 

81.  Have  Methodists  this  right? 
A?is.  They  have  not. "  " 

Now,   whoever  will   compare  our  mode  of  electing  dele- 
gates, will  perceive  that  oui  Annual  and  General  Conferences 
derive  their  authority,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  as  much  from  the 
o2 


t 


±62  HEXFS  TO  THK   STtJllY 

people,  as  do  the  Presbyteries,  Synods,  and  General  Assem- 
bly, of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Indeed  I  will  venture  to 
affirm  that  the  delegates  who  compose  the  General  *dssem- 
blyoi  the  Presbyterian  church,  the  highest  and  most  impor- 
tant ecclesiastical  court  pertaining  to  that  church,  do  not,  in 
any  instance,  hold  their  seats  by  the  voice  of  the  people. 
The  following  are  the  provisions  of  their  government  in  this^ 
case:— 

««The  general  assembly  shall  consist  of  an  equal  delegation 
of  bishops  and  elders  from  each  j^re^^^/er^,  in  the  following 
proportion,  namely:  Each  presbytery  consisting  of  not  more 
,  than  nine  ministers,  shall  send  one  minister  and  one  elder." 
Constitution,  &c.  p.  364.  Now  as  these  elders  or  delegates 
must  be  "ruling  elders,"  they  must  be  selected  by  themselves, 
and  out  of  their  own  body,  neither  hy  the  people  nor  from 
among  the  people.  Therefore,  when  they  are  sent  as  c?e/e» 
gate^  to  the  general  assembly,  so  far  from  being  chosen  by 
the  people,  they  are  chosen  by  the  seversil  presbyteries. 

It  will  certainly  puzzle  the  best  logician  in  our  countr)^,  to 
«how  more  republicanism  in  this  mode  of  electing  delegate&v 
than  there  is  in  our  mode  of  electing  them  to  our  general  con- 
ferences. 

As  to  our  church  choosing  her  own  pastors,  first,  as  before 
observed,  all  persons  are  received  into  society  by  the  class, 
and  not  by  the  preacher.  Secondly,  no  man  can  be  licensed 
to  preach  among  us,  unless  first  recommended  by  the  class  to 
which  he  belongs.  Thirdly,  he  must  be  examined  before  a 
quarterly  meeting  conference— where,  in  the  general,  there 
are  not  more  than  two  travelling  preachers  who  have  a  vote — 
and  he  must  be  approved  of  by  that  body,  before  he  can  be 
allowed  to  preach.  When  thus  licensed,  he  must  be  recom- 
mended by  the  same  quarterly  conference,  to  an  annual  con- 
ference as  a  suitable  person  to  travel.  And  as  the  circuit 
which  recommends  a  man  to  an  annual  conference,  is  just  as 
apt  to  get  that  man  for  their  preacher,  as  almost  any  other 
circuit,  they  are  always  careful  not  to  recommend  any  man^ 
but  such  an  one  as  they  are  willing  to  receive  in  turn.  When 
a  man  is  received,  and  sent  on  a  circuit,  he  is  among  a  people 
who  have  an  importunity  of  witnessing  his  whole  conduct, 
and  on  whose  volunta7y  contributions  he  is  entirely  depend- 
ent for  his  support,  and  who  have  a  right  to  complain  to  the 
proper  authorities,  if  he  does  not  conduct  himself  as  he  should 
do;  and  these  authorities  are  bound  to  attend  to  such  com- 
plaint If  it  be  said,  that  when  thus  licensed,  he  is  beyond 
the  reach  of  the  people,  I  reply,  he  is  not  so  far  beyond  the 


OF  PBESBYTEKIANISH*  i§5 

reach  of  the  people,  as  a  Presbyterian  preacher  is.  Every 
man,  the  very  moment  he  becomes  eligible  to  a  seat  in  a 
presbytery,  is  clearly  out  of  the  hands  of  the  people. 

On  page  61,  latest  edition  of  the  Methodist  Discipline,  and 
Sec.  xviii.  we  have  the  following  account  of  the  method  of 
bringing  to  trial,  a  circuit  preacher,  and  a  presiding  elder. 

*<Let  the  presiding  elder  in  the  absence  of  a  bishop,  call  as 
many  travelling  ministers  as  he  shall  think  fit,  at  least  three- 
and  if  possible  bring  the  accused  and  the  accuser  ia^c^  to  face. 
If  the  person  be  clearly  convicted,  he  shall  be  suspended  from 
all  official  service  in  the  church.  But  if  the  accused  be  a 
presiding  elder,  the  preachers  must  call  in  the  presiding  el- 
der of  the  neighboring  district,  who  is  required  to  attend  and 
preside  at  the  trial.  If  the  accused  and  accuser  cannot  be 
brought  face  to  face,  but  the  supposed  delinquent  flees  from 
trial,  it  shall  be  received  as  presumptive  proof  of  guilt-  and 
out  of  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  he  shall  be  con 
demned." 

For  the  trial  of  a  bishop,  see  Sec.  iv.  page  26.  Our  bish 
ops  are  subject  to  be  tried  by  seven  elders  and  two  deacons 
for  any  immorality,  or  supposed  crime;  and  may  be  suspend- 
ed by  two-thirds  of  these,  not  only  from  all  public  offices  but 
even  from  being  private  members  of  the  church.  This  mode 
subjects  our  bishops  to  a  trial  before  a  judicature  greatlv  in 
ferior  to  that  of  an  annual  conference.     For  there  is  not  one 

1  J  annual  conferences  which  will  not,  probably,  be  at- 
tended by  more  presiding  elders  and  deacons,  than  the  eon- 
lerence  which  is  authorized  to  try  a  bishop,  the  annual  confer 
ences  consisting  of  from  thirty  to  an  hundred  members  and 
upwards.  Finally,  as  defective  as  the  government  of  the 
Methodist  church  is,  I  have  never  known  any  case  to  occur, 
but  what  could  be  settled  in  some  way,  by  the  authorities  of 

^!u  ""'i^'  .^^.^  '^  "^'^^  ^^^  Presbyterian  church.  Look 
at  the  affair,  for  instance,  between  the  Rev.  Messrs  A  and 
^  .u  ^r  ^/  Tennessee.  In  this  case,  the  parties  both  ac- 
cuse other  of  lying  and  slander;  and  failing  before  the  "ses- 
sion,' to  settle  it,  they  gravely  marched  up  to  presbytery: 
the  presbytery  appointed  a  committee  of  ministers  to  settle 
It,  and  they  failed;  and  finally,  they  are  about  going  to  law  ' 
However,  this  may  all  have  been  decreed,  and  if  so,  it  is  all 
right!  Still,  the  constitution  of  their  church,  mak-es  nooro- 
vision  for  a  esse  of  this  kind.  ^ 

One    word  more  on   the   subject  of  choosing  ministers. 
Aniong  the  Presbyterians,  although  the  ^'people^^  have  a  - 
right  to  call  out  for  such  minister  as  they  shall  choose,  the 


164  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDT 

call  must  be  presented  through  the  presbytery  of  which  the 
minister  in  question  is  a  member,  and  it  remains  optional 
with  the  presbytery  to  accede  to  the  call  or  not;  nor  will  the 
presbytery  accede  to  the  call,  unless,  by  the  way,  it  is  accom- 
panied with  an  assurance,  that  the  minister  shall  have  some 
several  hundred  dollars  for  his  labors  i 

Here  comes  the  proof:  ^'And  no  minister  or  candidate  shaU 
receive  a  call  but  through  the  hands  of  the  presbytery."  Con- 
stitution, p.  376. 

In  the  Methodist  church,  though  the  appointment  of  the 
preachers  to  their  several  circuits  is  with  the  bishop  and  pre- 
siding elders  in  council,  yet  the  people  have  the  right  of  peti- 
tioning for  whatever  preacher  they  please,  and  their  petitions 
always  meet  with  a  respectful  consideration.  Hence,,  the 
choice  of  the  people  on  this  plan  of  procedure,  is  as  likely  to 
prevail,  as  on  that  pursued  by  the  Presbyterians.  In  this  res- 
pect the  Methodists  have  the  advantage.  And  if  it  so  come 
to  pass  that  they  get  a  preacher  they  are  not  pleased  with, 
they  have  the  consolation  to  know  that  one  year,  will  end 
their  connexion  with  him. 

Not  so  with  the  Presbyterians:  they  must  grin  and  bear  it, 
as  the  vulgar  saying  is.  Look  at  their  condition  in  Dandridge, 
in  Knoxville,  in  little  Newport,  at  West-Minster,  and  at  va- 
rious  other  places  too  tedious  to  mention.     But  I  proceed. 

^'85.  Has  not  Episcopacy  heretofore  been  unfavorable  to 
civil  liberty? 

t^ns.  The  mih^e  and  the  crown  have  a  strong  affinity  for 
each  other.  Dr.  Clarke  says,  as  Ihe  state  has  its  king  so  the 
church  should  have  its  bishop. 

86.  Has  not  Presbyterianism  always  promoted  civil 
liberty? 

tdns.  It  is  REPUBLICANISM,  and  must  necessarily  produce 
a  strong  preference  for  that  form  of  civil  government." 

The  above  paragraph  ends  my  quotations  from  the  Cate- 
chism. I  could  scarcely  repel  the  temptation  to  laugh  when 
I  first  read  the  above.  Episcopacy  unfavorable  to  civil  liber- 
ty !  Presbyterianism  favorable  to  civil  liberty !  Indeed !  We 
shall  soon  see  how  this  note  will  chime  in  with  the  others. 
Who,  I  ask, — and  I  ask  it  with  a  pity  for  the  wTiter  who  has 
put  this  rod  into  my  hands, — until  quite  recently  possessed 
all  power,  civil  and  religious,  in  New-England?  Who,  pre- 
vious to  the  political  struggle  and  revolution,  which  took 
place  in  the  state  of  Connecticut  in  1816,  arrested  and  fined 
a  Methodist  preacher  for  marrying  members  of  his  own  con- 
gregation?    Who  caused  the  poor  man's  cow  to  be  sold  to 


or  PBESBYTKRIANISM.  165 

pay  tax  to  the  priest!  Who  assessed  the  inhabitants  of  each 
town  to  build  churches  and  pay  minister's  salaries?  Who 
hanged  the  Quakers,  whipped  and  branded  the  Baptists,  per- 
secuted and  fined  the  Methodists  in  New-England,  for  a  dif-> 
ference  in  religious  belief?  I  answer,  the  Repiiblican  Pres^ 
byterians!     God  save  us  from  such  republicanism ! 

I  think  the  Presbyterians  are  the  last  people  above  ground 
who  should  touch  this  delicate  subject.  It  was  republican 
Presbyterianism,  which,  in  Holland,  was  propagated  by  the 
sword !  Republican  Presbyterianism,  in  the  hands  of  his  Ho- 
liness, John  Calvin,  led  him  to  murder  a  pious  and  an  innocent 
man  for  a  difference  in  religious  beliefl  It  is  of  no  use  to 
say  Presbyterians  do  not  act  so  now.  I  know  they  do  not. 
And  I  know  why  they  do  not.  They  cannot — dare  not. 
The  law  will  not  allow  them.  They  have  the  disposition 
yet.     All  that  keeps  them  down  is  fear. 

Neither  Constantine  the  great,  or  the  Pope  of  Rome,  were 
ever  more  anxious  to  unite  church  and  state,  than  are  the 
leading  characters  in  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the  United 
States.  Should  they  ever  succeed,  the  horrible  scenes  trans- 
acted by  their  predecessors  in  Europe,  and  in  the  north  of 
Germany,  will  be  the  quintescence  of  peace,  compared  with, 
what  we  shall  see  in  this  country.  From  such  republicanism,, 
may  our  good  Lord  deliver  us ! 

One  word  more.  Among  all  the  low,  scurrilous,  bitter, 
and  acrimonious  publications  constantly  teeming  from  \^hQ 
press:  infidel  and  semi-infidel  works;  of  licentious  novels; 
and  of  the  whole  tribe  of  catch-penny  writers,  and  pamph- 
leteerSj  \  have  never  seen  any  which  abounds  with  more  false 
statements  and  insinuations,  than  this  Catechism.  I  can  but 
exclaim,  while  contemplating  s,uch  weakness,  * '-Lord,,  what  is^. 


wm 


I6S  toELPS   TO  T«E   STtJBY 

If  we  turlfi  our  attention  to  Geneva,  the  theatre  of  John 
Calvin's  glory,  we  shall  find  but  little  to  cheer  us  amidst  the 
general  gloom  which  spread  itself  over  Protestant  Europe* 
If  we  look  to  Scotland,  where  the  intriepid  and  pious  Knoxj 
tlisplayed  the  banner  of  the  cross,  we  shall  not  find  a  great 
d^al  to  cheer  us.  If  w^e  go  to  England,  the  land  of  our  an* 
cestors,  for  a  century  and  a  half  past,  we  will  m«^et  with  but 
little  encouragement.  The  cause  of  this  is,  that  in  each  and 
all  of  those  places,  the  clergy  were  aided  and  strengthened  by 
the  strong  arm  of  civil  power  and  protection. 

And  if  we  turn  our  attention  to  beloved  America,  we  will 
find,  that  at  the  memorable  era  of  her  political  independence, 
when  almost  every  state  had  its  laws  for  the  support  of  its 
favorite  theory  of  Christianity,  her  condition  was  but  little 
better. 

The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  a  political  sermon, 
preached  by  the  Rev.  David  Osgood,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the 
church  atMedford: — "The  strong  prepossessions  of  so  great 
a  proportion  of  my  fellow-citizens  in  favor  of  a  race  of  de- 
mons (the  American  people)  and  against  a  nation  of  more 
religion,  virtue,  good  faith,  generosity,  and  beneficence, 
(Great  Britain)  than  any  that  now  is,  or  ever  has  been  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth,  wring  my  soul  with  anguish,  and  fill 
my  heart  with  apprehensions  and  terror  of  the  judgment  of 
heaven  upon  this  sinful  people.^' 

<^If  at  the  command  of  weak  or  wicked  rulers^  they  under- 
take an  unjust  war,  each  man  who  volunteers  his  services  in 
such  a  cause,  or  loans  his  money  for  its  support,  or  by  his  con- 
versation, his  wjitings,  or  any  other  mode  of  influence,  en- 
courages its  prosecution,  that  man  is  an  accomplice  in  the 
wickedness,  loads  his  conscience  with  the  blackest  crimes, — 
brings  the  guilt  of  blood  upon  his  soul,  and — in  the  sight  of 
God  and  his  iaiv  is  a  7Jiurderer.^' 

<^My  mind  has  been  in  a  constant  agony,  not  so  much  at 
the  invisible  foes  of  our  temporal  prosperity  and  happiness, 
and  the  complicated  miseries  of  war,  as  at  its  guilt,  its  out- 
rage against  heaven,  against  all  truth,  honesty,  justice,  good- 
ness— against  all  the  principles  of  social  happiness.'^  Dis- 
course delivered  June  27,  1812,  pages  9&  12. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  political  sermon,  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Elijah  Parish,  D.  D.,  at  By  field:— "The  Israelites 
became  weary  of  yielding  the  fruits  of  their  labor  to  pamper 
their  splendid  tyrants.  They  left  their  political  woes.  7'Aey 
separated/  Where  is  our  Moses!!  Where  is  the  rod  of 


OF    PRESB  YTERIANISM.  169 

HIS  miracles!!!  Where  is  our  Aaron!!!!  Alas!  no  voice 
from  the  burning  bush  has  directed  them  here.'' 

^'New-England,  if  invaded,  would  be  obliged  to  defend 
herself.  Do  you  not  then  owe  it  to  your  children,  and  owe 
It  to  your  God,  to  make  peace  for  yourselves.  You  may  as 
well  expect  the  cataract  of  Niagara  to  turn  its  current  to  the 
head  of  Superior,  as  a  wicked  congress  to  make  a  pause  in  the 
work  of  destroying  their  country,  while  the  people  will  fur- 
nish the  means.'' 

^'Should  the  English  now  be  at  liberty  to  send  all  their 
armies  and  all  their  ships  to  America,  and  in  one  day  burn 
every  city  from  Maine  to  Georgia,  your  condescendino- rulers 
would  play  on  their  harps,  while  they  gazed  at  the  t'r-emen- 
dous  confldgration.  Tyrants  are  the  same  on  the  banks  of 
the  Nile  and  the  Potomac— at  Memphis  and  at  Washino-ton— 
in  a  monarchy  and  a  republic." 

^^Like  the  worshippers  of  Moloch,  the  supporters  of  a  rzY^ 
administration  sacrafice  their  children  on  the  altar  of  demo- 
cracy. Like  the  widows  of  Hindostan,  they  consume  them- 
selves. Like  the  frantic  votaries  of  Juggernaut,  they  throw 
themselves  under  the  car  of  their  political  idol.  They  are 
crushed  by  its  wheels." 

^_  ^^To  raise  army  after  army  to  be  sacrificed,  when  the  Ena;- 
iish  do  all  which  is  possible,  to  soften  the  rigors  of  captivitv, 
by  kindness  to  the  prisoners  which  they  have  taken  by  thou- 
sands and  thousands,  restoring  them  to  their  families  without 
a  ransom,  and  without  their  request;  is  it  not  the  lawless 
attacks  of  Goths  and  Vandals,  to  carrv  on  such  a  war  after  its 
only  avowed  cause  has  been  removed,  the  daring  pillao-e  of 
wild  Arabs,  a  vile  outrage  on  all  the  principles  of  Christianity 
an  impious  abandonment  of  divine  protection. "  ' 

"The  legislators  vjho  yielded  to  this  war,  when  assailed 
by  the  manifesto  of  their  angry  chief,  established  iniquity 
and  murder  by  law.'^^ 

"Our  government,  if  they  may  be  called  the  governmenl, 
and  not  the  destroyers  of  the  countrv,  bear  all  these  things  as 
patiently  as  a  colony  of  convicts  sail  into  Botany  Bay !  I !" 
J ^Those  western  states  which  have  been  violent  for  this 
abominable  war  oi  murder— those  states  which  have  thirsted 
for  blood,  God  has  given  them  blood  to  drink.  Their  lamen- 
utions  are  deep  and  loud."  Discourse  delivered  April  7, 
1814.  ^ 

Of  all  the  abominations  that  ever  disgraced  any  country,  I 
know  of  nothing  more  deserving  of  reprobation  than  the 
prostitution  of  the  sacred  desk  for  political  purposes.     It  is 
P 


468  JIELPS   TO  TttE   STtJBlf 

If  we  turft  our  attention  to  Geneva,  the  theatJ-e  of  John 
Calvin's  ""lory,  we  shall  find  but  little  to  cheer  us  amidst  the 
general  gloom  which  spread  itself  over  Protestant  Europe* 
If  we  look  to  Scotland,  where  the  intriepid  and  pious  Knox, 
displayed  the  banner  of  the  cross,  we  shall  not  find  a  great 
d^al  to  cheer  us.  If  we  go  to  England,  the  land  of  our  an* 
cestors,  for  a  century  and  a  half  past,  we  will  meet  with  but 
little  encouragement.  The  cause  of  this  is,  that  in  each  and 
all  of  those  places,  the  clergy  were  aided  and  strengthened  by 
the  strong  arm  of  civil  power  and  protection. 

And  if  we  turn  our  attention  to  beloved  America,  we  will 
find,  that  at  the  memorable  era  of  her  political  independence, 
when  almost  every  state  had  its  laws  for  the  support  of  its 
favorite  theory  of  Christianity,  her  condition  was  but  little 
better. 

The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  a  political  sermon, 
preached  by  the  Rev.  David  Osgood,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the 
church  atMedford: — "The  strong  prepossessions  of  so  great 
a  proportion  of  my  fellow-citizens  in  favor  of  a  race  of  de- 
mons (the  American  people)  and  against  a  nation  of  more 
religion,  virtue,  good  faith,  generosity,  and  beneficence, 
(Great  Britain)  than  any  that  now  is,  or  ever  has  been  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth,  wring  my  soul  with  anguish,  and  fill 
my  heart  with  apprehensions  and  terror  of  the  judgment  of 
heaven  upon  this  sinful  people." 

<^If  at  the  command  of  weak  or  wicked  rulers,  they  under- 
take an  unjust  war,  each  man  who  volunteers  his  services  in 
such  a  cause,  or  loans  his  money  for  its  support,  or  by  his  con- 
versation, liis  waitings,  or  any  other  mode  of  influence,  en- 
courao-es  its  prosecution,  that  man  is  an  accomplice  in  the 
wickedness,  loads  his  conscience  with  the  blackest  crimes, — 
brings  the  guilt  of  blood  upon  his  soul,  and — in  the  sight  of 
God  and  his  la  w  is  a  7Jiurdtrer.  ^ ' 

<<My  mind  has  been  in  a  constant  agony,  not  so  much  at 
the  invisible  foes  of  owr  temporal  prosperity  and  happiness, 
and  the  complicated  miseries  of  war,  as  at  its  guilt,  its  out- 
rage against  heaven,  against  all  truth,  honesty,  justice,  good- 
ness—against  all  the  principles  of  social  happiness.''  Dis- 
course delivered  June  27,  1612,  pages  9  &  12. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  political  sermon,  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Elijah  Parish,  D.  D.,  at Byfield:-- "The  Israelites 
became  weary  of  yielding  the  fruits  of  their  labor  to  pamper 
their  splendid  tyrants.  They  left  their  political  woes.  They 
separatedt  Where  is  our  Moses  I!  Where  is  the  rod  of 


OF    PRESBYTERIANISM.  169 

HIS  miracles!!!  Where  is  our  Aaron!!!!  Alas!  no  voice 
from  the  burning  bush  has  directed  them  here.'' 

«'Nevv-England,  if  invaded,  would  be  obliged  to  defend 
herself.  Do  you  not  then  owe  it  to  5^our  children,  and  owe 
it  to  your  God,  to  make  peace  for  yourselves.  You  may  as 
well  expect  the  cataract  of  Niagara  to  turn  its  current  to  the 
head  of  Superior,  as  a  wicked  congress  to  make  a  pause  in  the 
work  of  destroying  their  country,  while  the  people  will  fur- 
nish the  means." 

"Should  the  English  now  be  at  liberty  to  send  all  their 
armies  and  all  their  ships  to  America,  and  in  one  day  burn 
every  city  from  Maine  to  Georgia,  your  condescending  rulers 
would  play  on  their  harps,  while  they  gazed  at  the  tremen- 
dous confldgration.     T3^rants  are  the  same  on   the  banks  of 

the  Nile  and  the  Potomac — at  Memphis  and  at  Washington 

in  a  monarchy  and  a  republic .'^ 

'^Like  the  worshippers  of  Moloch,  the  supportersof  a  I'zYe 
administration  sacrafice  their  children  on  the  altar  of  demo- 
cracy. Like  the  widows  of  Hindostan,  they  consume  them- 
selves. Like  the  frantic  votaries  of  Juggernaut,  they  throw 
themselves  under  the  car  of  their  political  idol.  They  are 
crushed  by  its  wheels.'^ 

^^To  raise  army  after  army  to  be  sacrificed,  when  the  Eng- 
lish do  all  which  is  possible,  to  soften  the  rigors  of  captivity, 
by  kindness  to  the  prisoners  which  they  have  taken  by  thou- 
sands and  thousands,  restoring  them  to  their  families  without 
a  ransom,  and  without  their  request;  is  it  not  the  lawless 
attacks  of  Goths  and  Vandals,  to  carry  on  such  a  war  after  its 
only  avowed  cause  has  been  removed,  the  daring  pillao-e  of 
wild  Arabs,  a  vile  outrage  on  all  the  principles  of  Christianity, 
an  impious  abandonment  of  divine  protection." 

<*The  legislators  who  yielded  to  this  war,  when  assailed 
by  the  manifesto  of  their  angry  chief,  established  iniquity 
and  murder  by  law.^^ 

"Our  government,  if  they  may  be  called  the  government, 
and  not  the  destroyers  of  the  country,  bear  all  these  things  as 
patiently  as  a  colony  of  convicts  saifinto  Botany  Bay ! ! !" 
^ 'Those  western  states  which  have  been  violent  for  this 
abominable  war  oi  murder — those  states  which  have  thirsted 
for  blood,  God  has  given  them  blood  to  drink.  Their  lamen- 
Utions  are  deep  and  loud."  Discourse  delivered  April  7, 
1814. 

Of  all  the  abominations  that  ever  disgraced  any  country,  I 
know  of  nothing  more  deserving  of  reprobation  than  the 
prostitution  of  the  sacred  desk  for  political  purposes.     It  is 
P 


170  HEIiPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

next  to  impossible  to  aggravate  the  hideousness  of  this  sin. 
And  yet,  during,  before,  and  after  the  war  of  1812,  this  was 
a  common  practice  among  the  Calvinistic  clergy  of  New- 
England.  And  what  is  more  humiliating  than  all,  they  were 
violently  opposed  to  the  war;  while  they  were  the  avowed 
friends  and  advocates  of  Great  Britain ! 

The  above  will  serve  as  specimens  of  the  matter  and  man- 
ner of  their  inglorious  sermons. 

Had  the  middle  and  western  states  acted  the  part  of  New- 
England,  president  Madison  would  have  been  in  a  deplorable 
condition,  when,  at  the  suggestion  of  congress,  he  proclaimed 
war.  I  shall  just  say,  if  these  preachers  believed  all  they 
asserted,  what  transcendent  infatuation!  If  they  did  not, 
what  superlatively  transcendent  turpitude !  In  both  or  either 
of  these  cases,  may  I  not  exclaim,  what  transcendent  profana- 
tion of  the  clerical  functions — and  of  a  religion  which  enjoins 
upon  us,  subjection  to  the  powers  that  be!  May  kind 
heaven,  of  his  infinite  mercy,  grant  that  no  American  wor- 
shipping assembly,  may  again  ever  be  so  cursed,  as  to  hear 
two  more  such  sermons! 

One  of  these  reverend  gentlemen  is  a  Presbyterian,  and 
the  other  is  a  Congregationalist.  But,  it  is  a  truth  generally 
known,  that  the  Presbyterians  were  once,  in  a  generic  term, 
classed  with  the  Puritans;  and  it  is  also  true  that  the  Con- 
gregational ists,  Independents,  Presbyterians,  and  Puritans,  as 
a  body,  were,  and  now  are,  in  their  fundamental  doctrines, 
policy  and  leading  designs,  one  people.  For  further  particu- 
lars, I  refer  the  reader  to  Neal's  History  of  the  Puritans. 


CHAPTER  II. 

ADDRESS  OF  THE  '^CHARITABLE  SOCIETY"  OF  NEW-ENGLAND, 

This  address  was  written  by  a  committee  of  ministers, 
styled  the  ^'committee  of  supplies,"  of  which  Rev.  Lyman 
Beecher  of  Litchfield,  was  chairman,  and  without  a  doubt,  he 
wasthe  sole  writer  of  it.  This  committee  of  supplies,  in  1814, 
consisted  of  four  reverend  gentlemen,  and  one  grave  esquire, 
making  in  all  five.  On  two  other  committees  pertaining  to 
this  society,  viz.  the  "committee  of  appropriations,"  and 
the  "associational  committee,"  there  are  sixteen  more  clergy- 
men;  whose  business  it  is  to  co-operate  with  Yale  and  Ando- 


or  PRESBYTERIAjriSM.  171 

rer  colleges,  <<to  assist  in  providing  for  our  country  a  sufficient 
number  of  competent  religious  instructors." 

This,  however,  is  only  the  professed  object  they  have  in 
view;  while  in  reality,  from  the  sentiments  advanced  in  the 
address,  and  intended  to  be  carried  into  operation,  they  aim 
at  totally  destroying  our  religious  and  civil  liberties,  by  bring- 
ing about  a  union  of  church  and  state. 

That  a  proper  education  is  essential  for  the  ministry,  is 
allowed;  for  nothing  can  be  more  absurd  than  for  a  man  to 
undertake  to  teach  a  science  he  is  not  acquainted  with.  It  is 
therefore  essential,  that  in  order  for  a  man  rightly  to  teach 
the  gospel,  he  should  first  undei  stand  it.  But  this  knowledge  I 
apprehend  may  be  acquired  without  going  to  Yale  or  Ando- 
ver.  Indeed  a  pious  man  with  talents,  may  be  educated  for 
the  ministry,  without  going  to  any  college,  or  com.ing  under 
the  care  of  any  particular  society.  Besides,  an  essential  de- 
gree, to  be  conferred  on  every  student  in  divinity,  is  that  of 
the  ^^gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost ^^^  which  degree  is  not  usually 
conferred  *^by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands"  of  the  president 
of  a  literary  institution!  But  what  service  can  we  render  to 
the  community  at  large,  by  our  charity  in  educating  young 
men  to  preach  up  Calvinism}     For,  as  the  poet  saith, — 

*<If  all  things  succeed  as  already  decreed. 

And  immutable  impulses  rule  us, 
Then  to  preach  and  to  pray  is  time  thrown  away. 

And  our  teachers  do  nothing-  but  fool  us. 
But  if  by  free  will,  we  may  go  or  stand  still. 

As  best  £uit3   each  present  occasion, 
Then  fill  »y>  the  g-lass,  and  call  him  an  ass 

That  preaches  up  predestination" 

Biii  the  principles  of  this  address,  to  which  I  would  call 
tirtJ  reader's  particular  attention,  are  contained  in  the  follow- 
ing extracts: — 

<*There  is  a  state  of  society  to  be  formed,  and  to  be  formed 
by  an  extensive  combination  of  institutions,  religious,  civil, 
and  literary,  which  never  exists  without  the  co-operation  of 
an  educated  ministry ! !" 

^<Illiterate  men  have  never  been  the  chosen  instruments  of 
Ood  to  build  up  his  cause.  Illiterate  men  however  nous, 
cannot  command  the  attention  of  that  class  of  the  Community 
%vhose  education  and  mental  culture  is  above  their  own." 

^^Now  the  CIVIL  welfare  of  the  nation,  and  the  interests  of 
eternity,  alike  demand  the  agency  of  qualified  religious  in- 
gtructorsr'' 


172  HELFS    TO   THE    STUDT 

<'To  produce  such  a  combination  and  such  efforts,  the 
WRETCHED  state  of  our  country  must  be  known.  The  infor- 
mation contained  in  this  address  may  with  propriety,  it  is 
believed,  be  communicated  on  the  SABBATH  to  ALL  our 
worshipping  assemblies;  and  the  investigation  commenced  in 
it  with  propriety  be  continued,  until  a  regular  and  minute 
account  can  be  given  of  the  religious  state  of  our  land!  The 
newspaper,  the  tract,  and  magazine,  must  disclose  to  our 
slumbering  countrymen  their  danger.  The  press  must 
GROAN  in  the  communication  of  our  wretchedness;  and  from 
ever)^  pulpit  in  the  land  the  trumpet  must  sound  long  and 
loud;  the  nation  must  be  awaked  to  save  itself  by  its  owk 
exertions,  or  we  are  undone.  In  so  glorious  a  work,  we 
call  on  the  pastors  and  the  churches  for  their  co-operation. 
Nor  do  we  anticipate  that  the  call  w^ill  be  unwelcome  or  un- 
heeded. If  ministers  do  not  feel  in  such  a  cause,  and  the 
churches  redeemed  by  their  instrumentality,  we  should  despair 
of  exciting  sympathy  or  obtaining  help.  It  is  our  expecta- 
tion that  every  church  in  the  state  will  enlist  as  an  auxiliary 
to  this  society." 

(j3^  ^'OuR  nation  is  more  deplorably  destitute  of 
religious  instruction  than  any  other  christian  nation 

UNDER  heaven.'^  ^J^ 

It  certainly  requires  no  great  effort  of  the  uaderstan dingy 
to  perceive  the  ultimate  object  of  the  charitable  society.  VVe 
are  not  to  understand  that  a  society  was  to  be  formed.  No, 
no;  there  is  a  difference  between  a  society  and  the  state  of 
that  society. 

It  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  at  the  time  this  society  was- 
formed,  the  Congregational  religion  and  the  civil  goverament 
of  Connecticut,  were  blended  together  by  a  statute  law,  aqd 
that  there  never  was  such  a  compact  in  any  of  the  states  in  the 
Union,  but  the  New-England  states.  Therefore  to  effect  a 
union  of  church  and  state  throughout  the  United  States,  was 
the  sole  design  of  the  charitable  society.  Then  should  we 
see  those  church  and  state  laws  executed  as  rigorously  as 
formerly,  and  laying  aside  all  rules  of  toleration,  we  should 
hear  of  those  Puritanical  saints  hanging  poor  unoffending 
Quakers  at  Boston;  of  Methodist  ministers  being  fined  for 
marrying  members  of  their  own  church;  and  of  the  Baptists 
being  whipped  at  the  tail  of  a  cart,  or  imprisoned  for  preach- 
ing what  they  conscientiously  believed. 


or  PRESBYTERIAXISM.  173 

To  conclude,  I  refer  the  reader,  for  further  information  on 
this  subject,  to  the  history  of  New-England. 

**Ye  long"  heads,  and  strong"  heads,  attend  to  my  strains — 
Ye  clear  heads,  and  queer  lieads,  and  heads  with  few  brains. 
Ye  thick  sculls,  and  quick  sculls,  and  heads  great  and  sn>all, 
And  ye  heads  that  aspire  to  be  heads  over  all.** 


CHAPTER  III. 


EFFECTS  OF  THE  LAWS  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Having,  through  the  course  of  this  work,  repeatedly  os~ 
verted  that  the  church  and  state  laws  of  the  New-England 
states,  in  former  times,  operated  to  the  great  disadvantage  of 
both  the  ministers  and  members  of  other  denominations,  it 
may  not  be  amiss,  just  here,  to  adduce  some  stronger  proof  of 
the  triith  of  my  assertions,  than  simply  my  ipse  dixit.  And 
having  seen  the  frame  of  these  laws,  let  us  for  a  moment 
look  at  its  motions,  and  see  how  it  works.  The  followins; 
extract  from  the  Connecticut  Mirror,  of  1820,  a  paper  printed 
in  the  country  where  those  horrible  scenes  were  acted  out, 
to  which  I  have  so  repeatedly  alluded,  and  where  those  de- 
cisions were  made,  of  which  other  denominations  have  so 
justly  complained. 

*^TOWN  OF  GOSHEN  VS.  TOWN  OF  STONINGTON." 

<'This  case  came  to  trial  at  the  late  term  of  the  superior  court? 
at  Litchfield,   held  by  Chief  Justice  Hosmer.     It  was  an  ac- 
tion of  assumpsit,  for  the  support  of  a  female  pauper.     The 
plaintiff  claimed  that  her  settlement  was  in  the  town  of  Ston- 
ington,  which  was  the  principle  question  on  the  trial.     The 
reputed  husband  was  admitted  to  be  an  inhabitant  of  Stoning- 
tin,  but  the  defendant  denied  the  legality  of  her  marriage* 
It  appeared  that  the  nuptials  were  solemnized  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Christie,  in  the  town  of  Cornwall,  in  Litchfield  county. 
It  was  proven  by  the  plaintiffs,  that  the  Rev.  Mr.   Christie, 
was  a  clergyman  of  the  Methodist  church,  a  regularly  or^ 
dained  minister  of  the  gospel,  a  located  minister  within 
certain  limits,  embracing  the  northern  part  of  Litchfield  coun- 
ty, and  a  small  part  of  the  county  of  Hartford,  and  that  he 
dwelt  in  the  town  of  Cornwall.     On  hearing  counsel,  the 
Chief  Justice  decided  that  by  law  he  was  not  a  settled 
MINISTER, — had  no  right  to  solemnize   marriage,  and,  that 
this  marriage  was  utter! v  void  to  all  intents  and  purposes! 
p2 


I75u  HE  IPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

The  jury,  therefore,  returned  a  verdict  for  the  defendants  pur- 
suant to  the  direction  of  the  Judge." 

According  to  the  law,  and  the  decision  of  his  honor  in  this 
f.ase,  the  marriage  compact,  so  far  as  Methodists,  and  others 
married  by  Methodist  ministers  are  concerned,  throug;hout 
the  state  of  Connecticut,  is  literally  torn  to  pieces.  From 
this  decision,  it  evidently  appears,  that  not  only  this  couple, 
but  likewise  all  who  have  been  joined  together  in  like  man- 
ner, have,  from  the  time  of  their  marriage  till  now,  lived  in 
adultery;  and  unless  they  are  married  over  again,  by  a  ^'set- 
tled minister,"  they  will  die  adulterers.  Now,  the  sin  of 
adultery,  in  Scripture,  is  threatened  with  the  damnation  of 
hell;  so  that,  those  persons  in  Connecticut,  who  have  been 
ioined  together  by  Methodist  ministers,  and  really  wish  to 
escape  the  torments  of  hell,  had  better  get  '^a  settled  minister*' 
to  marry  them  over  again ! 

But  let  us  have  a  further  view  of  the  situation  of  other  de- 
nominations, under  the  unequal  and  unjust  operation  of  the 
laws  of  those  times.  This  knowledge  is  afforded  us  by  a 
book  published  in  Boston,  in  1818,  in  the  face  of  the  facts  it 
rscords,  entitled  *^A  blow  at  the  root  of  aristocracy,  or  an 
iippeal  to  matters  of  ftict  in  support  of  religious  freedom.-' 
Hear  it!  And  again,  I  say  hear  it! ! ! 

"it  is  a  fact,  that  in  the  town  of  Natick,  there  are  a  number 
of  church  members  of  a  denomination  different  in  their  creed, 
from  the  majority  of  the  town.  These  regularly  attend  a  sta- 
ted ministry  at  a  meeting  house  of  their  own,  standing  near 
the  line  of  Weston  and  Needham.  They  gave  in  their  cer- 
tificates according  to  the  law  of  March,  1800,  and  after  pay- 
ing their  viinisterial  tax  went  with  their  minister  and  made 
R  legal  demand  of  the  same,  as  specified  in  that  law,  but  were 
refused!  They  were,  therefore,  under  the  necessity  of  rais- 
ing other  money  towards  the  support  of  their  own  minister; 
while  a  man  they  did  not  hear,  nor  even  wish  to  hear,  was  fed 
and  clothed  with  money,  for  which  their  own  minister  and 
his  farmer  suffered." 

Second  case.  *'In  Wilbraham,  three  church  members 
were  taken  by  the  civil  officer,  put  in  a  wagon  and  carried  to 
Springfield  jail,  for  the  non  payment  of  the  ministerial  tax 
in  that  town;  and  one  of  them  who  is  a  respectable  farmer, 
and  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives,  has  since  ex- 
pended near  five  bunded  dollars,  by  paying  the  costs  of  vex- 
atious law-suits,  which  their  oppression  occasioned  him." 

Third  case.     <'The  following  extract  of  a  letter,  from  an 
aged  and  venerable  minister  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  to 


OF   PRESB  YTERIANISM.  175 

one  pf  his  brethren  in  Boston,  will  add  to  these  melancholy 
facts.  ^I  had  ten  acres  of  my  home  lot  sold  at  vendue  for 
that  purpose,  i.  e.,  for  ministerial  taxes,  and  the  buyer 
came  with  a  band  of  men  to  take  possession  of  it;  and  my 
children  crying  round  me,  and  saying,  is  the  man  come  to 
take  away  our  land?" 

Fourth  case.  ''A  gentleman  on  Martha's  vineyard,  who, 
for  a  number  of  years,  had  been  a  respectable  member  of  the 
legislature,  and  at  that  time  a  judge  of  the  county  court,  was 
carried  to  prison  for  refusing  to  pay  a  rainisterial  tax^  though 
he  was  a  church  member  of  a  different  denomination." 

Fifth  case.  ^^On  the  Cape^  a  farmer  had  his  rye  attached 
and  sold,  when  reaped  down  in  the  field;  but  as  it  did  not  pay 
the  ministerial  tax,  they  took  and  sold  a  stack  of  English 
hay,  containing  about  two  tons,  and  were  so  religiously  hon- 
est  as  to  return  about  seventy-Jive  cents  of  overplus  mo- 
ney!" 

Besides  the  above  cases,  more  than  fifty,  if  not  more  than 
a  hundred  cases,  of  the  like  nature,  and  with  much  the  same 
circumstances,  within  the  limits  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  and  within  fifteen  or  twenty 
years  have  occurred,  in  which  property  has  been  exposed  to 
public  sale,  some  imprisoned,  vexatious  law-suits  commenced 
and  carried  on  with  bitterness  and  rigor;  feuds  and  strifes  cre- 
ated and  strengthened;  and  a  multitude  of  evils  produced,  un- 
der a  pretended  zeal  for  the  support  of  the  gospel. 

But  even  here  at  home,  in  our  beloved  Tennessee,  we  have 
evidently  seen  a  disposition  on  the  part  of  the  Presbyterian 
ministry,  to  tyranize  over  other  denominations,  and  to  con- 
nect their  religion  and  religious  institutions  with  the  civil 
affairs  of  our  country.  In  the  year  1820,  a  controversy  of 
some  length,  and  of  considerable  importance,  was  carried  on 
through  the  columns  of  the  Knoxville  Register  on  this  sub- 
ject, by  the  Rev.  Isaac  Anderson,  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  on  the  one  part,  and  the  Rev.  James  Dixon,  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  on  the  other.  Doctor  Ander- 
son wrote  over  the  signature  of  "Amicus  Literarum,"  and 
Mr.  Dixon  over  the  signature  of  "Republican."  And  al- 
though Dr.  A.  has  lived  long  and  fought  "a  many  a  battle 
sore,'^  yet,  he  never  was  so  completely  ii^ed  up  in  all  the 
days  of  his  life,  as  he  was  on  this  occasion:  •Amicus,  in  his 
fourth  number,  gravely  asks  this  question :  "Can  civil  govern- 
ments be  so  constructed  and  administered,  that  they  will 
never  participate  of  the  spirit  and  for3C  of  the  government 
of  the  church  that  may  be  predominant?"    This  question  he 


17C  HELPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

answers  in  the  negative: — *<lt  is  impossible,  a  government 
cannot  be  organized,  and  then  be  administered  by  an  unthink- 
ing machine.  It  must  be  administered  by  men,  and  men 
must  act  according  to  their  rdews  and  sentiments;  and  the 
government  must  finally  take  the  form  of  which  the  senti- 
ments of  the  men  administering  it  are  the  archetype." 

A  part  of  Mr.  Dixon's  reply  to  the  above,  is  in  the  follow- 
ing words:  ^'The  word  predominant,  signifies  ^prevalent  su- 
preme in  influence,  ascendant,' — and  this  prevalence,  supreme 
influence,  and  ascendanc}^,  respects  the  other  churches  which 
may  exist  in  the  same  country;  therefore  according  to  Mr. 
A's  sentiments,  when  ever  one  churcli  obtains  the  ascendancy 
over  the  rest  in  any  country,  it  of  necessity  begins  to  com- 
municate the  spirit  and  form  of  its  government  to  the  civil 
government  of  the  land." 

The  correctness  of  Mr.  Dixon's  conclusion  appears  from 
the  face  ot  a  petition,  presented  to  the  legislature  of  Tennes- 
see, in  1819,  praying  for  an  act  of  incorporation,  for  the 
Southern  and  Western  Theological  Seminar}^,  in  which  the 
petitioners  say,  that  ^'many  men  of  piety,  wealth,  and  in- 
fluence in  the  Carolinas,  Georgia,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Lou- 
isiana, Missouri,  and  perhaps  Kentucky,  Illinois,  Indiana, 
and  part  of  Virginia,  would  co-operate  with  us.'' 

Once  more:  These  petitioners  ask  the  liberty  of  extending 
their  incorporation  over  the  above  mentioned  extent  of  coun- 
try, in  the  following  word«,  viz:  ''Your  petitioners  humbly 
pray  your  honorable  body  to  incorporate  the  synod  of  Ten- 
nessee^ with  such  other  synods  and  presbyteries  as  may 
choose  to  join  the  synod  of  Tennessee,  to  hold  property  for 
the  benefit  of  the  seminary." 

In  addition  to  the  above,  I  have  two  other  cases  to  mention.  , 
First,  I  now  have  in  my  possession  the  copy  of  a  petition 
from  Blount  county;  presented  to  the  legislature  of  Tennes- 
see, in  the  year  1817,  in  which  an  act  of  incorporation  for  the 
Baker's  creek  church,  is  asked  for. 

Secondly,  at  the  session  of  the  Legislature  of  Tennessee, 
in  1829,  an  attempt  was  made  to  incorporate  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  the  city  of  Nashville.  I  add  no  more,  but  leav^ 
the  reader  to  dispose  of  the  foregoing  as  he  may  think  proper. 


OF  PRESBYTBEIAIf  ISM.  177 


CHAPTER  IV. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  A  DISCOURSE,  DELIVERED  ON  THE  FOURTH 
OF  JULY,  1827,  IN  THE  SEVENTH  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 
IN  PHILADELPHIA,  ENTITLED  '^THE  DUTY  OF  CHRISTIAN 
FREEMEN  TO  ELECT  CHRISTIAN  RULERS. "  BY  EZRA  STILES 
ELY,  D.  D.  PASTOR  OF  THE  THIRD  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 
IN  THAT  CITY. 
! 

I  In  regard  to  the  charge  brought  against  the  PresbyterianSy. 
I  viz.,  of  their  making  efforts  to  establish  themselves  by  law, 
\  it  is  well  known  to  have  been  a  favorite  object  among  them, 
i  for  some  time,  especially  in  New-England.  The  efforts  that 
w-ere  made  by  them,  soon  after  the  elevation  of  old  John 
Adams  to  the  presidency  of  the  United  States,  is  yet  fresh 
in  the  memory  of  many  of  the  American  people,  as  well  as 
the  chagrin  that  was  manifested  on  finding  themselves  disap- 
pointed. And  whoever  reads  the  following  extracts  from 
Dr.  Ely's  political  sermon,  (which  sermon  was  to  inform  the 
ministers  and  elders  then  present  hov^^  to  act)  and  considers 
the  time  of  its  delivery,  cannot  fail  to  see  the  same  end  con- 
templated. This  clergyman,  of  such  political  notoriety,  in 
^addition  to  having  been  moderator  of  the  general  assembly, 
^as  for  years  been  the  stated  clerk^  for  the  whole  Presbyterian 
church  in  America;  and  may  therefore  be  regarded  as  high 
Authority — as  speaking  the  sentiments  of  his  brethren  gen- 
erally. 

I  now  have  before  me  the  latest  edition  of  this  sermon. 
Published  by  Dr.  Ely  himself,  in  November,  1831.  After 
Inaking  a  few  preliminary  remarks,  the  Doctor  breaks  forth 
jn  the  following  eloquent  strain: — 

We  have  assembled,  fellow-citizens,  on  the  anniversary  of  our  na- 
Jon's  birth  day,  in  a  katioxal  a>'d  religious  manner,  to  celebrate  our 
hdependence  of  all  foreig-n  domination,  and  the  goodness  of  God  in 
making-  us  a  free  people.  On  what  subject  can  I,  on  the  present  occa- 
aon,  insist  with  more  propriety,  than  on  the  duty  of  all  the  rulers  and 
:itizens  of  these  United  States  in  the  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  all  their 
(olitical  rights,  to  honor  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Let  it  then  be  distinctly- 
rated  and  fearlessly  maintained  in  ihe  first place^  that  evert  member  of 

■iitS  CHRISTIAN  XATIOJf,  FR03I  THE  HIOHEST  TO  THE  10 WEST,  OUgfhttOSCrve 

he  Lord  with  fear,  and  yield  his  sincere  homage  to  the  Son  of  God. 
ivery  ihtler  should  be  an  avowed  and  sincere  friend  of  Christianity.  He 
jiDuld   liTKilo  and  believe  the  doctrines  of  our  holy  religion,   and  act  in 

onformity  with  its  precepts. 

This  he  ought  to  do?  because  as  a  man  he  is  required  to  serve  the  Lord; 

id  as  a  PUBLIC  aetEtt  he  is  called  upon  by  divine  authority,  to  *kiss  the 


17S  UKLFS   TO  THE   STUDY 

Son.*  The  commandment  contained  in  Proverbs  iii,  6,  Hn  all  thy  wayg 
acknowledge  hirrif*  includes  public  as  well  as  private  ways,  and  political 
no  less  than  domestic  ways!" 

"Let  all  then  admit,  that  our  civil  rulers  ought  to  act  a  religious  part  in 
aJlthe  relations  they  sustain." 

"If  a  ruler  is  not  a  christian  he  ought  to  be  one  in  this  land  of  evangeli- 
ca4  light,  without  delay^  and  he  ought,  being  a  follower  of  Jesus,  to  hon- 
or him  even  as  he  honors  the  Father.  In  this  land  of  religious  freedom, 
what  should  hinder  a  civil  magistrate  from  believing  the  gospel,  and 
professing  faith  in  Christ,  any  more  than  any  other  man?  If  the  chief 
magistrate  of  a  nation  may  be  an  irreligious  man  with  impunity,  who 
may  not?" 

"Our  rulers,  like  any  ether  members  of  the  community,  who  are  under 
law  to  God  as  rational  beings,  and  under  law  to  Christ,  since  they  have 
the  light  of  divine  revelation,  ought  to  search  the  Scriptures,  assent  to 
the  truth,  profess  faith  in  Christ,  keep  the  Sabbath  holy  to  God,  pray  in 
private  and  in  the  domestic  circle,  a^/e«ff  o??  the  pubLc  ministry  of  the 
word,  be  baptized,  and  celebrate  the  Lord's  supper!!!  None  of  our 
rulers  have  the  consent  of  their  Maker,  that  they  should  be  Pagans,,  So- 
cinians,  Mussulmen,  Deists,  the  opponents  of  cln-istiknity;  and  a  religious 
people  should  never  think  of  giving  them  permission,  as  public  offiGei*s, 
to  be  and  do,  what  they  might  not  lawfully  be  and  do,  as  private  indi- 
viduals." 

ClJt"  "/w  other  ivords,  our  presidents,  secretaries  of  the  government ^  sena- 
tors and  oth^r  representatives  in  congress,  governors  of  states,  judgesy  state 
legislators,  justices  of  the  peace,  and  city  magistrates,  are  just  as  much  bound 
as  any  other  persons  in  the  United  States,  to  be  ouTisonox  in  THEin  faith, 
mid  virtuous  and  religious  in  their  whole  deportment ."  ^TJi 

"Since  it  is  the  duty  of  all  our  rulers  to  serve  the  Lord  and  k.ss  the  Son 
of  God,  it  must  be  most  manifestly  the  duty  of  all  oui  christian  fellow- 
citizens  to  honor  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  promote  cbr  stianity  by  elect- 
ing and  supporting  as  public  officers  the  friends  of  oui  blessed  Saviour." 
"/n  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him,  is  a  maxim  which  should  dwell  in  a 
.  christian's  mind  on  the  da^  of  a  public  election  as  much  as  (in  the  Sabbath 
and  which  should  govern  him  when  conspiring  with  others  to  ho 
Christ,  either  at  the  Lord's  table,  or  in  the  election  of  chief  magistrate. 

"If  the  wise,  the  prudent,  the  temperate,    the  friends  of  God  and  of 
their  country,  do   not  endeavor  to  control  our  elections,  they  will  be  eon^ 
trolled  by  others;  and  if  on;  good  man  may  without  any  reasonable  excu: 
absent  himself,  then  all  may." 

"If  all  the  truly  religious  men  of  our  nation  would  be  punctual  an 
persevering  in  their  endeavors  to  have  good  men  chosen  to  fill  all  our  n 
tional  and  state  offices  of  honor,  power  and  trust,  thetu  wk.igut  woul 
soon  be  felt  by  politicians;  and  those  who  care  little  for  the  rehgion  of  tl 
Bible,  would,  for  their  own  interest,  consult  the  reasonable  wishes  of  th 
great  mass  of  christians  throughout  our  land." 

"I  could  wish  to  see  every  professing  christian  in  attendance  on  ele 
tions;  but  rather  let  him  never  give  a  vote,  than  receive  a  treat  for  h 
suffrage.  (Ij- 1  PROPOSE,  FELLOW-CITIZENS,  A  NEW  SORT  O 
UNION,  OR,  IF  YOU  PLEASE.  A  CHRISTIAN  PARTY  IN  POLITIC^ 
WHICH  I  AM  EXCEEDINGLY  DESIROUS  ALL  GOOD  MEN  IN^Ul 
COUNTRY  SHOULD  JOIN."  Jp} 

"All  who  profess  to  be  christians  of  any  denomination  ou^fji  ^^  ^S^H 
that  they  will  support  no  man  as  a  candidate  for  any  office,  who  is  not  pyqfcj 
fessedly  friendly  to  Christianity,  and  a  believer  in  divine  j-evel'^tiiQil.'*' 


athji 


OF  PRESBY'i.        ^ANISM,  ^.yg 

Q--.  ..THE  PRESBYTERIANS  ALONE  COULD    BRING  HALF  4 
MILLION  OF  ELECTORS  INTO  THE  FIELD."  ^ 

*'Let  a  man  be  of  good  moral  character,  and  let  him  profess  to  believe 
in  and  advocate  the  christian  religion,  and  we  can  all  support  him!!! 
At  one  time  he  will  be  a  Baptist,  at  another  an  Episcopalian,  at  another 
a  Methodist,  at  another  a  Presbyterian  of  the  American,  Scotch,  Irish 
Dutch,  or  German  stamp,  and  always  a  friend  to  our  common  chvisV 
tianity."  \  \ 

"I  am  free  to  avow,  that  other  tilings  being  equal,  I  would  prefer  for  ' 
my  chief  magistrate,  and  judge,  and  ruler,  A  SOUND  PRESBYTERIAN- 
and  every  candid   religionist  will  make  the  same  declaration  conc^ning 
his  own  persuasion.'*  \ 

The  above  closes  my  extracts  from  the  sermon,  and  they 
will  show  for  themselves.  However,  I  will  add,  that  Doctor 
Ely,  in  1828,  speaking  '•^of  the  past  and  present  condition 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  with  her  prospects  and  wants^ " 
boastingly  held  forth  the  following  language: — 

<an  1704,  or  124  years  ago,  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the 
United  States,  was  organized  by  the  establishment  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia.  In  1716,  or  112  years  ago,  we 
had  one  synod,  and  four  Presbyteries.^'  Then  contrasting 
the  past  with  the  then  present  state  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  the  Doctor  says: — Two  thirds  of  all  the  colleges, 
theological  seminaries,  and  other  academic  institutions  in  the 
country,  are  under  the  instruction  and  control  of  Presby- 
terians. The  Congregational  churches  of  New-Englandj 
and  the  Presbyterian  church  together,  have  the  charge  of 
more  than  three  fourths  of  all  these  fountains  of  literary 
influence." 

That  I  am  by  no  means  singular  in  supposing  efforts  are 
used  to  effect  a  religious  establishment,  on  the  part  of  the 
Presbyterians,  and  that  they  are  the  most  intolerant  of  all  sects, 
may  be  seen  by  the  following  energetic  remarks  from  the  pen 
of  Thomas  Jefferson,  which  I  extract  from  the  IV  vol.  of 
his  late  works,  now  lying  before  me.  He  says: 

"The  Presbyterian  clergy  are  the  loudest;  the  most  in- 
tolerant of  all  sects;  the  most  tyrannical  and  ambitious; 
ready  at  the  word  of  the  lawgiver,  if  such  a  word  could  now 
be  obtained,  to  put  the  torch  to  the  pile,  and  to  re-kindle,  in 
this  virgin  hemisphere,  the  flames,  in  which  their  oracle, 
Calvin,  consumed  the  poor  Servetus.  They  pant  to  re- 
establish BY  LAW,  that  holy  inquisition  which  they  can  now 
only  infuse  into  public  opinion." 

^  In  a  letter  to  Doctor  Cooper,  bearing  date  November  2, 
1822,  he  says:  **Your  favor  of  October  18th,  came  to  hand 
yesterday.    The  atmosphere  of  this  country  is  unquestionably 


/ 


iSO  HELPSilr'^  .STUDY 

charged  with  a  threatr-'in^  ^  X\d  of  fanaticism,  lighter  in 
some  parts,  denser  -^  others,  but  too  heavy  in  all.     I  had  no 
idea,  however,  t/^t  in  Pennsylvania,  the  cradle  of  toleration 
and  freedom  of  religion,  it  could  have  arisen  to  the  height 
yoli  describe.     This  must  be  owing  to  the  growth  of  Freshy- 
terianisin.     The  blasphemy  and  absurdity  of  the  five  poinl.s 
/of  Calvin,  and  the  impossibility  of  defending  them,  render 
^'their  advocates  impatient  of  reasoning,  irritable,  and  prone 
^  to  denunciation."     ^'In  our  village  of  Charlottesville,  there 
is  a  good  degree  of  religion,  with  a  small  spice  only  of  fanati- 
cism.    We  have  four  sects,  but  without  either  church  or  meet- 
ino-  house.     The  court  house  is  the  common  temple,  one 
Sunday  in  the  month  to  each.     Here  Episcopalian  and  Pres- 
byterian,   Methodist    and  Baptist,    meet  together,  join   in 
hymning  their  Maker,  listen  with  attention  and  devotion  to 
each  others'  preachers,  and  all  mix  in  society  with  perfect  har- 
mony.    It  is  not  so  in  the  districts  where  Presbyterianism 
prevails  undividedly.      (f^  Their  ambition  and  tyranny 

WOULD  TOLERATE  NO  RIVAL  IF  THEY  HAD  POWER.  ,J^j  Sys- 
tematic in  grasping  at  an  ascendancy  over  ail  other  sects,  they 
aim,  like  the  Jesuits,  at  engrossing  the  education  of  the  coun- 
try, are  hostile  to  every  institution  which  they  do  not  direct, 
and  jealous  at  seeing  others  begin  to  attend  at  all  to  that 
object." 

Mr.  Jefferson,  in  a  letter  to  old  John  Adams,  dated  Octo- 
ber 28,  1813,  remarks  as  follows:  <'It  is  probable  that  our 
difference  of  opinion  may,  in  some  measure,  be  produced  by 
a  difference  of  character  in  those  among  whom  we  live.  From 
what  I  have  seen  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut  myself, 
and  still  more  from  what  I  have  heard,  and  the  character  given 
of  the  former  by  yourself,  who  know  them  so  7rmch  better, 
there  seems  to  be  in  those  two  states,  a  traditionary  reverence 
for  certain  families,  which  has  rendered  the  offices  of  the 
government  nearly  hereditary  in  those  families.  I  presume 
that  from  an  early  period  of  your  history,  members  of  those 
families,  happening  to  possess  virtue  and  talents,  have  hon- 
estly exercised  them  for  the  good  of  the  people,  and  by  their 
services  have  endeared  their  names  to  them. 

In  coupling  Connecticut  with  you,  I  mean  it  politically 
only,  not  morally.  For  having  made  the  Bible  the  common 
law  of  their  land,  they  seem  to  have  modelled  their  morality 
on  the  story  of  Jacob  and  Laban !  But  although  this  heredi- 
tary succession  to  office  with  you,  may,  in  some  degree,  be 
founded  in  real  family  merit,  it  has  proceeded  from  your 


OV  PRESBYTERIANISM.  181 

In  another  letter  to  the  same  man,  dated  May  5,  1817,  on 
the  subject  of  the  political  reformation  which  had  taken  place 
in  Connecticut,  Mr.  Jefferson  says:  <<For  what  need  we 
despair  of  after  the  resurrection  of  Connecticut  to  light  and 
liberty.  I  had  believed  that  the  last  retreat  of  monkish  dark- 
ness, bigotry,  and  abhorrence  of  those  advances  of  the  mind 
which  had  carried  the  other  states  a  century  ahead  of  them. 
They  seemed  still  to  be  exactly  where  their  forefathers 
were  when  they  schismatised  from  the  covenant  of  works, 
?-nd  to  consider  as  dangerous  heresies  all  innovations  good  or 
bad.  I  join  you,  therefore,  in  sincere  congratulations  that 
this  den  of  the  priesthood  is  at  length  broken  up,  and  that  a 
Protestant  Popedom  is  no  longer  to  disgrace  the  American 
history  and  charactei*.'' 

It  will  here  be  objected,  that  Mr.  Jefferson  was  an  infidel, 
or  that  he  was  opposed  to  all  religion.  I  am  free  to  avow,  that 
he  was  not  a  member  of  any  church,  and  that  he  wrote  some 
things  which  savor  very  much  of  infidelit}';  but  at  the  same 
time,  hein^  no  sectarian,  and  having  no  more  partialities  for 
one  denomination  than  another,  he  was  the  better  prepared  to 
judge  of  their  real  merits. 

But,  perhaps,  an  extract  from  judge  Grundy^s  speech,  on 
the  subject  of  the  Protest  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  delivered  in  the  Senate,  in  1834,  will  not  be  deemed 
irrelevant  just  here;  and  more  especially,  since  this  honorable 
senator  is  known  to  be  entirely  friendly  to  Christianity.  Mr. 
Grundy  says:  ^'Before  I  can  agree  that  our  opponents  shall 
have  the  exclusive  possession  of  the  title  whigs,  I  wish,  to 
make  some  further  enquiries;  where  are  those  men  who,  dur- 
ing the  last  war,  discouraged  the  enlistment  of  soldiers? 
Where  are  those  who  used  their  influence  to  prevent  loans  to 
the  government  in  its  utmost  need?  Where  are  all  the  moral 
traitors  of  that  trying  and  gloomy  period?  Where  are  those 
who  thought  it  hnmoral  and  irreligious,  to  rejoice  at  our 
victories,  and  mourned  at  the  defeat  of  our  enemy?  Where 
are  those  who  denounced  James  Madison  as  a  tyrant,  usurper, 
and  despot,  and  proclaimed  that  the  country  would  never 
prosper  until  he  was  sent  to  Elba?  Where  are  the  'blue- 
light'  gentry,  who  gave  private  signals  to  the  enemy  to  ena- 
ble them  to  murder  our  citizens  !^^ 

The  above,  then,  is  a  specimen  of  New-England  Presby- 
terianism.  And  this  sect,  when  headed  by  Oliver  Cromwell, 
so  far  gained  the  ascendancy  in  England,  as  to  govern  the  state 
and  oppress  the  Episcopalians.  But  when  the  latter  regain- 
ed the  ascendancy  at  the  restoration  of  the  monarchy,  it  was 
Q 


1$2  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

considered  an  impious  encroachment  on  the  liberty  of  con- 
science,  and  they,  forsooth,  came  over  to  the  wilderness  of 
America!    And  this  is  the  sect, which,  in  1829,  was  the  most 
active  in  trying  to  effect  the  stoppage  of  the  mail  on  Sunday; 
which,  if  granted,  they  very  well  knew,  would  destroy  one 
link  of  the  CoilBtitutional  chain; — which,  when  done,  would 
enable  them  to  do  any  thing.     Is  it  not  well  known,   that 
they  crowded  Congress  with  petitions  for  this  purpose,  till 
the  house  would  scarcely  hold  any  more?     Now  these  pious 
.petitioners  must  have  known,   that  the  practical  inconveni- 
ence which  would  result  from  such  a  measure,  in  the  dimin- 
ished activity  of  the  ordinary  business  of  life,  was,  of  itself, 
a  sufficient  reason  why  Congress  should  not  grant  their  re- 
quest;— to  say  nothing  at  all  of  the  advantages  derived  from 
receiving  the  religious  news  so  much  sooner.     But,  this  aim 
at  a  suspension  of  the  transportation  of  the  mail,  and  the  dis- 
tribution of  letters  on  Sunday,  though  professedly  made  out 
of  regard  for  the  Lord's  day,  was,  nevertheless,  intended  to 
aid  in  effecting  a  union  of  Church  and  State.     In  conclusion, 
a  severe  struggle  is  now  going  on  in  all  parts  of  the  United 
States,  between  despotism  with  its  besotted  supporters,  ^and 
the  friends  of  liberty.     Dark  and  portentous  clouds  now  dim 
our  national  horizon,  and  loud  and  angry  muttering  fortel  the 
gathering  tempest,  which  is  to  sweep  away  the  fair  fabric  of 
Union,  after  having  breasted  so  many  storms.     The  Sunda}^ 
mail  party,  though  they  have  been  defeated,  have  had  time  to 
breathe,  so  as  to  repair  their  fallen  courage,  and  to  intrigue 
for  their  success  in  future. 

I  would  be  the  last  to  hold  up  any  false  views  or  fanatical 
sentiments,  ahdknow  that  the  sentiments  here  expressed  are 
not  such: — they  are  the  words  of  truth  and  soberness. 


CHAPTER  V. 


AMBITIOUS  DESIGNS    OF  THE    PRESBYTERIAN  MINISTRY, OR, 

THE    CASE    TERMED    *  ^MURDER    WILL    OUT;" OR,  AN    AC-. 

COUNT  OF  THE  GREAT    PRESBYTERIAN  PLOT,  RELATIVE  TO 
A  "CENTRAL  SOCIETY,"  IN  1828! 

The  present  state  of  things,  throughout  the  known  world, 
both  conspires  to  agitate  the  human  mind,  and  to  render  this 
an  age  of  wonders.  The  struggle  between  truth  and  error 
— the  noble  achievements   of  the  friends  of  Christ,  and  the 


0¥   rRESBYTERIAXISM.  183 

powerful  opposition  of  his  enemies,  in  all  parts  of  the  world, 
make  this  peculiarly  an  age  of  wonders.  The  war  of  opin- 
ion— the  contention  of  sects — the  rapid  march  of  mind — the 
progress  of  truth, — and  the  great  revivals  of  religion  now  in 
progress,  all  conspire  to  perplex  the  mind,  and  to  excite  en- 
quir}'  among  the  people  to  know  what  these  things  mean,  and 
what  the  final  result  will  be.  Truly  this  is  an  age  of  reform — 
of  reform  in  every  thing — emphatically  of  reform.  DijQfer- 
ent  denominations  are  reforming  their  creeds  and  confessions 
of  faith.  Almost  all  the  governments  of  the  world  are  re- 
forming, or  have  been  recently  reformed  in  their  political  ba- 
sis. But,  bigotry,  well  knowingthat  herall  isnow  at  stake,  is 
rolling  together  her  clouds  of  blackness  and  darkness,  with 
the  forlorn  hope  of  obscuring  the  glorious  light  of  reform  that 
is  beaming  in  gladness  upon  the  children  of  God!    But  all  this 

will  avail  her  nothing,  if  men  will  be  true  to  themselves if 

they  will  not  retrogade  in  the  glorious  cause — if  they  w^ill 
not  continue  to  crouch  under  the  yoke  of  bondage,  which 
their  spiritual  guides — their  ghostly  conscience-keepers  have 
laid  upon  them — we  shall  yet  be  delivered  from  the  foulest 
abomination  that  ever  blackened  the  historv  of  any  country 
— an  ecclesiastical  heirarchy! 

I  am  no  alarmist — I  am  no  spiritual  dreamer — what  I  now 
say  is  an  awful  reality.  Look  at  the  contents  of  this  chapter! 
— see  what  coalitions  and  combinations  have  been  entered  in- 
to, for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  national  heirarchy,  and 
then  say  is  it  ou'-  duty  to  cry  peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no 
peace!  Even  the  gun  powder  plot,  in  point  of  hellish  malice, 
did  not  surpass  this!  The  rack,  the  gibbet,  and  a  second  edi- 
tion of  the  infernal  inquisition,  is  only  one  step  behind  this 
plot! 

The  following  articles,  with  some  few  strictures,  are  from, 
the  Holston  Messenger,  published  and  edited  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Stringfield;  and  by  him,  were  collected  from  the  several  pa- 
pers credited,  and  so  arranged  as  to  set  the  whole  transaction 
forth  in  its  true  light.     Look  at  them !  Read  them  carefully ! ! 

^^Froni  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal. 
MURDER  WILL  OUT. 

'Fear  them  not,  therefore,  for  there  is  nothmg  covered  tasit  shall  not  be 
revealed  and  hid  that  shall  not  be  known. 

What  I  tell  you  in  darkness,  that  speak  ye  in  light,  and  what  ye  hear  in 
the  ear,  that  preach  ye  on  the  house  tops.' — Jesus  Christ. 

''Mr.  Editor. — For  some  months  it  has  been  cautiously  rumored  in  my 
region  of  country,  that  one  or  more  travelling  agents  have  been  itinerating 
through  the  land,  calling  together  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  in  every 
city  and  neighborhood,  for  the  purpose  of  a  secret  conclave.    It  has  been 


184  HELPS   TO  THE    STUDY 

stated  that  sit  these  conclaves,  a  certain  sechet  of  vast  and  paramount 
importance,  has  been  entrusted  to  them  under  a  solemn  promise  of  se- 
crecy for  a  specified  time.  This  is  all  we  common  people,  the  vulg-ar 
herd,  or  swinish  multitude,  could  learn  of  this  matter,  and  not  a  little 
curiosity  has  been  awakened  among-  us;  which  until  lately,  was  not  grati- 
fied. 

But  behold,  a  Morgan  has  been  among-  them,  or  mayhap  a  bird  has 
flown, — already  the  secret  is  on  the  four  winds  of  heaven,  and  as  many  of 
your  readers  may  be  anxious  to  learn  the  true  reason  of  the  midnight 
deeds  of  these  modern  missionaries,  so  novel  in  their  character,  t  send 
you  the  stupendous  and  appalling  account  of  the  whole  matter,  which  I 
Iiumbly  conceive  to  be  a  conspiracy  against  tlie  people's  rights,  which 
needs  all  the  secrecy  with  which  it  has  been  enve]oj)ed;  for  when  disclosed, 
it  must  be  abhorred  by  every  lover  of  civil  and  religious  Iibert3% 

Be  it  known  then  that  for  some  months,  one  or  more  agents,  have  been 
travelling  tlirough  the  United  States,  calling  meetings  of  the  clergy  in 
every  place,  and  after  obtaining  a  promise  o^  secrecy,  entrusting  them  witli 
the  following'  proposition,  as  nearly  as  can  be  communicated  by  my  imper- 
fect though  authentic  information. 

1.  Let  a  'central  society'  be  established,  say  at  Boston,  New-York,  or 
Philadelphia,  of  a  character  both  political  and  religious.  The  objects  of 
tliis  society  are  to  raise  a  fund  to  be  expended  in  printing  books  of  all  kinds, 
approved  as  orthodox,  newspapers,  &c.  &c. 

2d.  Let  a  ])ress  be  established  in  every  city  and  county  in  the  United 
States,  avixiliary  to,  and  dependant  upon  the  central  society.  By  these 
means  a  tremendous  engine  may  be  brought  to  bear  upon  the  whole 
country,-  for  the  books  can  be  printed  so  cheap  as  to  ruin  all  the  book 
establishments  in  the  nation,  and  the  newspapers  as  well  aS  the  ortho- 
dox books  may  'be  rendered  so  abundant  as  to  force  all  others  out  of  cir- 
culation.' 

3.  The  effect  of  tJiese  multiplied  presses,  and  the  monopoly  they  would 
occasion  in  politics  and  religion,  being  devoted  to  botii  subjects,  are 
intended  to  establish  and  discipline  a  'christian  party  in  politics,'  which 
in  a  few  years  would  bring  'millions  of  electors  into  the  field,*  whose 
'characters  are  formed'  by  the  universal  dominion  of  this  'central  so- 
ciety.' 

After  submitting  this  sweeping  proposition,  the  travelling  agent  modestly 
solicits  pecuniary  contributions  from  the  reverend  clergy  assembled,  to  be 
employed  in  paying  his  travelling'  expenses.  This  game  has  been  played 
in  the  east,  north,  and  west,  and  probably  at  this  moment  the  south  is 
marshalling  under  the  same  religious  and  political  conspiracy. 

Now,  Messrs.  Editor's,  I  disclaim  any  other  views  in  bringing  this  com- 
bination to  light,  than  a  desire  to  warn  my  fellow  christians  of  their  dan- 
ger, and  caution  them  to  be  awake,  least  they  be  overwhelmed  in  the 
fearful  vortex  which  these  modern  Jesuits  are  preparing  in  the  erection 
of  what  they  will  call  a  salutary  'moral  police.'  I  would  rejoice  in  any 
additional  measures  to  promote  the  cause  of  God,  and  subserve  the  glories 
of  Emanuel's  kingdom;  and  with  all  such  eflTorts  I  most  cheerfully  unite 
heart  and  hand.  But  I  conceive  that  this  fearful  negotiation,  now  in  pro- 
gress, 'is  carnal,  sensual,  and  devilish.'  It  is  an  attempt  to  make  chris- 
tians— but  will  only  succeed  in  making  hypocrites.  It  is  a  specious 
plausible  union  of  professing  christians  against  infidelity  and  vice;  but  it 
is  no  other  than  using  'carnal  weapons,'  instead  of  those  which  are  'mighty 
through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  the  strong  holds  of  Satan.'  It  is  in 
effect  serving  God  and  mammon,  an  attempt  to  unite  Christ  and  Belial,  to 
identify  the  world  and  religion. 


OF  PRESBYTJBRIANISM.  185 

Christians,  like  their  Master,  have  a  'kingdom  not  of  this  world,'  and 
can  \iave  no  amalg-amation  with  carna),  selfih,  or  worldly  views  of  ag- 
grandizement, without  suffering-  in  their  piety,  and  overthrowing-  the  very 
corner  Btone  of  our  holy  rehgion. 

The  holy  apostle  would  'know  nothing-  among-  men  save  Jesus  Christ 
and  him  crucified,'  because  in  this  truth  of  God,  there  is  an  efficiency 
which  must  eventually  triumph  over  error,  and  vice  of  every  kind;  for 
against  'this  rock  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail.' 

It  is  true,  infidelity  is  making  rapid  strides  in  our  country,  and  immor- 
ality abounds  it  would  seem  unabashed  and  uncontrolled;  but  'why  do 
the'heathen  rage  and  the  people  imagine  a  vain  thing?'  Are  we  to  con- 
clude lience,  that  true  religion  will  not  finally  triumph?  'Oh  ye  of  little 
faith,  wherefore  do  ye  doubt?'  the  'testimony  of  the  Lord  is  sure.'  Let 
'the  kings  of  the  earth  set  themselv<?s,  and  the  rulers  take  counsel  to- 
gether, against  the  Lord  and  his  anointed.'  'He  that  sitteth  in  the  heavens' 
shall  laugh,  the  Lord  shall  hold  them  in  derision.'  It  is  enough  that  wc 
as  christians,  'grieved  at  the  wickedness'  of  our  modern  Sodoms,  meekly 
approach  the  throne  of  grace,  and  say,  'O  Lord,  incline  thine  ear,  and 
hear;  open  thine  eyes,  and  see  how  thine  enemies  triumph.'  But  let  us 
never  bring  'strange  fire'  to  the  altar  of  Jehovah,  lest  the  'fire  go  out 
from  the  Lord,  and  consume  us,'  as  it  did  Nahab  and  Abihu,  the  two  sons 
of  Aaron,  for  their  sacrilegious  presumption.  Touch  not  the  ark  of  the 
Lord  with  unhallowed  hands.  Let  us  renounce  our  sectarian  efforts  at 
monopoly,  and  disclaim  all  'national'  or  political  combinations.  Let  it  be 
our  glory  still  to  say,  'As  for  us,  we  preach  Christ  crucified,  to  the  Jews  a 
stumbling  block,  to  the  Greeks  foolishness;  but  to  them  that  believe, 
Christ  the  power  of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God.' 

A  LATiMAJT." 

"How  the  author  of  the  above  communication  came  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  secret  combination  on  which  lie  has  animadverted  so  freely  and 
justly,  we  cannot  tell.  That  a  plan  similar  to  the  above  is  in  operation, 
we  beheve  is  known  to  many,  most  of  whom  were  put  in  possession  of  it 
in  a  way  which  does  not  permit  them,  consistently  with  their  integrity  as 
christians  to  make  it  known.  We  are  no  friends  to  secret  associations  of 
any  sort,  nor  do  we  believe  it  possible  long  to  conceal  any  plan,  good  or 
bad,  for  'whatsoever  is  spoken  in  the  closet  shall  be  proclaimed  upon  the 
house  top.' 

We  have  only  to  say,  that  if  those  who  are  engaged  in  the  plan  alluded 
to,  find  their  views  and  motives  misapprehended  in  the  above  con>- 
munication,  they  shall  have  the  use  of  our  columns  to  set  the  matter  in  a 
fair  point  of  light,  provided  a  responsible  name  be  given." 

The  above  developement  of  facts,  proceeding  as  it  did,  from  so  respec- 
table a  source,  occasioned  no  small  excitement.  Tt  was  soon  corroborated 
by  different  persons,  in  other  papers.  The  most  respectable  Calvinistic 
papers,  however,  were  profoundly  silent  on  the  subject.  The  only  ex- 
ception with  which  we  are  acquainted,  for  several  months,  was  an  anony- 
mous piece  in  the  Rochester  Observer,  in  which  the  fact,  was  admitted;  but 
it  was  stated  that  the  conduct  of  this  secret  agent  was  not  sanctioned  by 
Presbyterians.  This  ground,  however  was  soon  ascertained  to  be  untenable, 
a  Rochester  paper  having  given  the  names  of  five  resp  ectab  le  Presbyterians, 
who  were  engaged  in  the  matter;  and  reference  having'  been  made  to  un- 
deniable circumstances  by  which  it  was  notoriously  manifest.  In  this 
state,  it  was  again  allowed  to  slumber  for  several  months,  until  the 
Charleston  Observer  took  it  up,  and  gave  to  the  whole  affair,  another  as- 
pect:  representing  the  secret  agent  as  having  been  engaged,  not  to  pro- 
mote a  "religious  party  in  politics;"  butin  the  advancement  of  benevolent 

q2 


186  HELPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

institutions:  such  as  Sunday  schools,  tract  societies,  &c.     The  Charleston 
Observer  says: 

**More  than  three  months  ago,  we  saw  an  article  in  the  *Christian  Ad- 
vocate and  Journal,'  (a  Methodist  paper)  headed  'Murder  "Will  Out.'  The 
same  article  was  re-published  in  the  'Christian  Register,'  (a  Unitarian  pa- 
per) with  some  additional  remarks,  headed  'Orthodox  Designs?'  and  in  a  ' 
Tiumber  of  other  papers  with  which  we  exchange.  The  whole  statement 
appeared  to  us  so  palpably  false,  as  not  to  ^deserve  notice.  Some  re- 
cent circumstances,  however,  which  it  is  not  necessary  to  detail — have  , 
again  brought  it  to  our  notice:  and  we  have  concluded,  even  at  this  late 
day,  to  give  our  readers  the  full  benefit  of  this  joint  production  of  a 
Methodist  and  a  Unitarian  paper.  We  copy  from  the  (Unitarian) 
Register:" 

^'ORTHODOX  DESIGNS. 

*'We  select  the  following  article  from  the  Yew- York  (Methodist) 
'Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,'  of  August  15th.  It  appears  there  as  a 
communication,  and  is  accompanied  by  some  appropriate  remarks  of  the 
editor.  We  are  glad  to  find  this  respectable  and  extensive  denomination 
of  christians  alive  to  the  wiles  of  the  Calvinistic  sect,  and  resolutely  de- 
termined to  expose  and  denounce  the  crooked  policy,  by  which  the  lea- 
ders of  that  sect  are  seeking  the  gratification  of  their  insatiable  thirst  of 
power.  We  trust  our  readers  will  mark  well,  and  regard  with  the  serious- 
ness which  the  subject  really  demands,  this  bold  and  deep  laid  plot  against 
our  political  as  well  as  our  christian  hberties." 

Here  comes  in  the  extract  from  the  Advocate,  given  above. 
The  editor  of  the  Charleston  observer  proceeds: 
««We  have  become  so  accustomed  to  the  abuse  and  calumny  of  the 
Advocate,  that  in  general,  we  feel  no  sort  of  emotion  on  their  repetition,  and 
have  no  disposition  either  to  repel  its  slanders,  or  reply  to  its  reproaches. 
And  if  the  article  in  question  had  no  more  alarming  aspect  than  that  of  an 
open  attack  upon  our  denomination,  we  should  have  passed  it  by  utterly 
unnoticed.  But  this  movement  on  the  part  of  the  editor  of  the  'Advo- 
cate,' diflPers  materially  from  his  ordinary  mode  of  assault.  He  does  not 
stop  at  the  usual  point  of  representing  Presbyterians  as  holding  sentiments 
which  are  pernicious  in  the  extreme,  and  our  churches  unworthy  of  the 
christian  name — but  he  goes  further,  and  through  us  makes  a  deadly 
thrust  at  those  noble  institutions  of  christian  benevolence,  which  are  the 
glory  of  our  age  and  nation. 

It  is  the  evident  object  of  the  article  in  question,  to  represent  Congre- 
gational and  Presbyterian  ministers,  as  a  set  of  unprincipled  politicians^ 
and  avaricious  speculating  hypocrites,  who,  under  cover  of  a  zeal  for  mis- 
sions, and  for  distributing  tracts  and  Bibles,  are  secretly  plotting-  an  ec- 
clesiastical establishment,  and  at  the  same  time  collecting  funds  in  order 
to  monopohze  the  whole  book-selling  trade  of  the  nation,  so  as  to  secure 
for  themselves  private  wealth  and  political  aggrandizement. 

As  it  respects  themselves,  the  objects  of  this  attack  only  smile  at  its 
senseless  absurdity,  and  disregard  its  impotent  mahce.  But  we  cannot 
be  indifferent  with  respect  to  its  tendency.  All  the  cunning  of  a  college 
of  Jesuits,  could  not  have  invented  a  more  subtle,  insinuating,  withering 
slander  against  the  charitable  efforts  which  are  now  making  to  extend  the 
knowledge  of  redemption. 

The  object,  manifestly  is  to  represent  our  theological  seminaries  as  nurse- 
ries of  politicians  and  speculators-^our  missionaries  and  collecting  agents  as 
secret  spies,  and  intriguers — and  our  benevolent  institutions  a  mere  empty 
parade  to  gull  the  community,  while  we  are  pocketing  their  spoils  and 
perfecting  our  schemes  of  plunder  and  usurpation. 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  187 

Nothing"  need  be  said  to  evince  how  disastrous  an  effect  such  insinua- 
tions are  likely  to  have.  Their  author  may  safely  congratulate  himself 
on  his  success,  in  closing  many  a  hand  and  heart  against  the  claims  of 
charity — of  cutting  off  some  of  the  resources,  and  drying  up  some  of 
the  streams  on  which  the  operations  of  missionary  and  Bible  societies 
depend — and  ultimately,  of  withholding  from  many  a  family  the  bread  of 
life,  and  depriving  many  a  destitute  community  of  a  guide  to  heaven. 

As  to  this  attack  upon  these  benevolent  institutions,  we  have  nothing  to 
say.  They  belong  to  Christ,  and  he  will  vindicate,  preserve  and  protect 
them. 

In  reply  to  these  false  accusations  against  Presbyterian  ministers,  we 
have  a  i'ew  remarks  to  make,  and  we  make  them  calmly  and  fearlessly. 
We  say  then,  that  the  statements  and  insinuations  in  the  above  article, 
are  utterly  false;  and  we  defy  its  author  to  the  proof \  and  in  case  he  de- 
clines adducing  his  testimony,  or  fails  in  substantiating  his  charges,  he 
must  be  regarded  as  a  base  calumniator,  and  a  wicked  accuser  of  the 
brethren.  '* 

The  above  remarks  of  the  Observer,  with  others  not  quoted,  called 
forth  the  following,  from  the  Rev.  J.  Emory,  [now  bishop  Emory.] 

**An  article  headed  'Murder  will  out,'  published  in  the  Christian  Advo- 
cate and  Journal  about  four  months  since,  and  signed  *A  Layman,'  has 
been  all  this  time,  it  seems,  rankling  in  the  heart  of  the  editor  of  the 
Observer. — He  has  not  only  let  the  sun  go  down  on  his  wrath,  but  it  has 
been  festering  in  his  bosom  for  months.  The  depth  and  violence  of  it 
may  be  judged  from  the  present  ebullition.  We  are  really  glad  that  he 
has  thrown  it  off,  because  we  hope  he  will  now  be  easier. 

I  did  myself,  Messrs.  Editors,  feel  an  objection  to  the  article  of  *A  Lay- 
man,' when  I  first  saw  it  in  print.  Not  because  I  did  not  believe  the  sub- 
stance of  the  facts  stated;  but  because  their  application  was  too  general. 
From  that  article  It  might  have  been  supposed  that  the  travelling  agent 
alluded  to  had  called  together  'the  ministers  of  the  gospel  in  every  city 
and  neighborhood,'  or  'meetings  of  the  clergy  in  every  place,'  for  the 
purpose  of  committing  his  'secret'  to  them,  under  an  injunction  of  se- 
crecy. Now,  though  I  am  as  well  assured  as  I  can  be  by  testimony,  that 
there  has  been  an  agent  going  through  the  country  very  extensively, 
recommended  by  persons  of  high  standing  in  certain  denominations, 
(unless  his  papers  were  forgeries,)  and  for  the  purposes,  substantially,  as 
stated  by  *A  Layman;'  and  although  I  am  equally  well  assured  that  secret 
meetings  were  called  in  various  places,  for  the  developement  and  further- 
ance of  that  secret  object,  yet  I  never  was  present  myself  at  any  such  a 
meeting,  though  a  minister:  and  I  believe  many  others  of  my  brethren  in 
the  ministry  never  were:  and  my  chief  objection  to  the  article  of  'A  Lay- 
man' was,  that  its  sweep,  in  relation  to  the  clergy,  was  so  indiscriminate: 
whereas,  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  great  body  of  the  clergy  in  this  country, 
of  every  denomination,  would  have  spurned  the  'secret,'  or  treated  it 
with  its  merited  contempt.  My  informants  are  all  ministers,  to  whom  the 
secret  was  disclosed  by  the  agent  himself,  who  showed  them  his  papers 
and  recommendations,  and  some  of  whom  were  present  at  the  meetings 
mentioned,  and  were  solicited  to  aid  in  carrying  the  project  into  execu- 
tion. They  resided  In  Cincinnati,  (Ohio,)  in  Pittsburg,  (Pa.)  and  in  this 
city,  and  are  men,  if  named,  as  they  can  be,  to  whom  the  public  would 
yield  as  full  credit  as  even  to  Mr.  Gilderslleve,  especially  when  he  writes 
on  a  subject  of  which,  by  his  own  showing,  he  is  perfectly  ignorant." 
In  addition  to  the  above  extract,  we  make  the  foljowing  from  the  Ad- 
^  vocate  of  December  26,  m  answer  to  the  Charleston  Observer: 

"As  to  what  the  Charleston  Observer  has  said  respecting  the  'accus. 


188  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

tomed  abuse  and  calumny'  uttered  by  the  Advocate  and  Journal,  we  have 
a  few  words  to  say.  Tn  regard  to  our  'making-  a  deadly  thrust  at  Bible^ 
missionary,  and  tract  societies,'  in  what  we  said  respecting  the  above 
mentioned  plan,  the  Observer  has  uttered  this  grave  charge  on  its  own 
responsibility,  and  must  dispose  of  it  as  best  suits  its  interest  or  con- 
venience. 

The  following  are  the  editorial  remarks  whlcli  accompanied  the 
communication  of  *A  Layman,'  as  published  in  this  paper  of  August  15th 
last— - 

*How  the  author  of  this  communication  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
secret  combination  on  which  he  has  animadverted  so  freely  and  justly,  we 
cannot  tell.  That  a  plan  similar  to  the  above  is  in  operation,  we  believe 
is  known  to  many,  most  of  wliom  were  put  in  possession  of  it  in  a  way 
which  does  not  permit  them,  consistently  with  their  integrity  as  christians* 
to  make  it  known.  We  are  no  friends  to  secret  associations  of  any  sort, 
nor  do  we  believe  it  possible  long  to  conceal  any  plan,  good  or  bad,  for 
'whatsoever  is  spoken  in  the  closet,  shall  be  proclaimed  upon  the  house 
tops.' 

For  the  truth  of  what  is  contained  in  this  article  respecting  a  plan  in 
secret  operation,  the  senior  editor  of  this  paper,  who  is  the  author  of  the 
present  remarks,  is  alone  responsible.  And  he  is  so  far  from  retracting 
anything  there  said,  that  he  now  affirms  most  unequivocally,  that  he  had 
personal  knowledge  of  the  facts  on  which  the  declaration  respecting  the 
above  mentioned  plan  was  based — that  he  saw  in  the  hand  writing  of  the 
agent,  who  had  been  travelhng  extensively,  as  stated  by  'A  Layman,'  the 
proposed  plan — that  being  solicited  by  the  ag-ent  himself  to  an  interview, 
he  submitted  to  the  senior  editor  of  this  paper  his  plan  in  writing,  not  un- 
der any  promise  of  secrecy,  but  by  simply  requesting  that  for  the  present 
it  might  not  be  divulged. 

To  avoid  circumlocution  I  will  speak  in  the  first  person.  I  read  the 
document  with  attention,  although  it  was  long,  and  in  its  details  quite 
complex.  It  appeared  to  me  a  very  ingeniously  devised  plan  to  accomplish 
the  object  contemplated.  Its  object  was  professedly  religious  and  politi- 
cal; and  I  scruple  not  to  affirm  that  if  it  could  be  carried  into  effect  with- 
out opposition,  it  might  be  made  one  of  the  most  powerful  political 
engines  ever  invented  by  man;  and  although  I  have  no  right  to  affirm  that 
it  entered  into  the  design  of  its  inventor,  I  do  consider  it  of  a  character 
dangerous  to  the  civil  and  religious  liberties  of  our  country,  should  it  ever 
be  used  for  that  purpose, — and  that  I  so  expressed  myself  to  its  author, 
observing  at  the  same  time,  that  his  motive  might  be  good.  I  moreover 
explained  to  him,  in  the  most  pointed  manner  I  could,  my  objections;  told 
him,  when  he  informed  me  that  he  had  calculated  on  the  support  of  the 
Methodists,  that  I  should  very  much  deprecate  the  day  that  any  minister  or 
member  of  our  church  should  set  his  name  to  his  constitution  as  one  of 
its  patrons. 

In  my  last  interview  with  this  gentleman,  I  informed  him  expressly  tlia* 
T  would  not  hold  myself  bound — as  indeed  I  had  never  promised  him  to  d{;> 
so — to  keep  his  plan  a  secret,  but  should  feel  myself  at  perfect  liberty  to 
say  what  I  pleased,  either  privately  or  publicly,  respecting  it — and  more- 
over, if  any  attempt  should  be  made  to  carry  it  into  execution,  1  felt  my- 
self under  the  most  solemn  obligation  to  oppose  it  by  every  honest  and 
honorable  means. 

I  moreover  know,  because  I  saw  their  signatures,  that  his  plan  was  re- 
commended by  some  respectable  gentlemen,  ministers  and  others,  not  of 
our  denomination,  one  of  whom  I  well  remember  stands  at  the  head  of 
a  theological  institution  in  the  state  of  New-York.     To  be  sure,  this  agent 


OF   PRESS  YTBRIANISM.  189 

had  other  plans  in  view,  to  aid  him,  in  which  considerable  sums  were  sub- 
scribed by  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  high  standing  in  society;  but,  as 
far  as  I  understand  it,  the  several  objects  were  in  some  sort  blended  to- 
gether, though  that  now  particularly  under  consideration  seemed  to  be 
die  principal  one. 

Now  these  are  facts  of  which  I  am  as  certain  as  I  am  of  any  thing  I  ever 
saw  or  heard,  though  I  cannot  otherwise  prove  them— being  alone  in  my. 
interviews  with  Mr.C,  and  being  requested  not  to  show  his  manuscript  to 
any  one— than  by  the  collateral  testimony  of  those  who  have  heard  Mr.  C. 
develope  his  pla'n  verbally.  That  he  has  so  done  to  many,  I  have  no 
doubt. 

I  have  not  said,  nor  do  I  now  say,  that  the  members  of  tlie  Presbyterian 
church,  nor  the  Presbyterian  clergymen,  are  responsible  for  this  plan;  but 
that  some  of  them  approved  of  it  I  do  know,  unless  his  docaments  were 
forged. 

Having  thus  stated  the  facts  in  the  case,  I  think  it  due  to  Mr.  -C .,  the 
professed  author  of  this  plan,  to  state  that  I  never  felt  any  disposition  to 
impugn  his  motives.  He  may  have  persuaded  himself  to  believe  that  by 
putting  it  into  the  power  of  those  who  should  become  members  of  this 
great  society,  to  elect  the  president  of  these  United  States,  the  governors 
of  the  individual  states,  &c.,  the  great  ends  of  justice  might  be  the  better 
secured,  and  the  interests  of  religion  more  efifectually  protected  and  pro- 
moted,—not  duly  considering,  that  history,  the  best  and  most  infaUilsle 
interpreter  of  men's  m.otlves  and  actions,  attests  the  great  danger  of  ac- 
cumulating political  power  into  the  hands  of  the  church  That  the  plan 
of  which  I  am  speaking  did  contemplate  this  control  over  the  elections 
of  our  country,  will  not  be  controverted  by  any  who  have  been  made  ac- 
quainted wlthit.  For  my  part,  I  should  consider  it  my  duty  to  oppose  such 
apian  of  operations,  let  it  originate  from  whomsoever  it  might,  as  being 
prejudicial  to  the  best  interests  of  our  country,  and  destructive  in  its  con- 
sequences to  the  pure  religion  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

I  should  not  have  felt  it  my  duty  to  enter  into  this  detail,  iiad  not  the 
Charleston  Observer  poured  out  such  a  flood  of  abuse  against  the  Chris- 
tlan  Advocate  and  Journal,  accusing  it  of  uttering  falsehoods,  &c.  I 
■would  furthermore  observe,  that  I  never  had  any  fear  that  this  ingenious 
plan,  so  curiously  contrived  to  accomplish  the  object  of  its  author,  to  gain 
apohtical  ascendency  by  religious  means,  would  ever  gain  the  approba- 
tion and  support  of  the  community.  The  age  is  too  much  enlightened. 
There  are  too  many  religious  sects,  and  political  parties,  to  permit  such 
an  amalgamation  of  the  several  denominations,  as  would  be  necessary  to 
effect  such  an  object.  On  these  accounss,  I  should  not  have  thought  it 
of  sufficient  importance  to  justify  such  a  detail  of  circumstances,  had  not 
tlie  veracity  of  former  statements  been  called  in  question  by  the  Charles- 
ton Observer." 

That  the  editor  of  the  Observer  should  positively  affirm  the  statements 
concerning  this  secret  plot  to  be  "utterly  false;"  and  that  the  assertion 
should  be  reiterated  by  the  editors  of  the  Calvinistic  Magazine,  is  really 
strange.  They  certainly  "reckoned  without  their  host."  For  their 
satisfaction,  and  that  of  others  who  may  wish  to  know  more  concerning 
tliis  subject,  we  will  give  a  few  extracts  from  other  papers. 

From  the  Gospel  Mvocafe,  printed  at  Auburiiy  New-York. 
"LOOK  OUT! 

"The  following  article  which  we  extract  from  'Plain  Truth,*  is  indeed 
a  confirmation  of  the  alarming  fact  that  the  Presbyterians  have  been 
gecretly  at  work,  for  years  past,  to  effect  a  'union  of  church  and  state.  * 
The  name  of  the  'travelling  agent'  is  known  to  the  editor  of  this  paper. 


190  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

and  there  are  many  in  this  village  who  can  bear  witness  that  all  the  mate- 
rial facts  stated  in  the  following  article  are  substantially  correct.     The 
*ag-ent'  received^his  education  at  the  theological  seminary  in   this  place, 
and  is  now  absent  on  a  tour  to  obtain  donations  for  carrying  into  operation 
his  plan.     We  know  more  of  this  felloiu  than  we  areat  liberty  to  disclose, 
having  been  laid  with  others  under  injunctions  of  secrecy.     But  as  the 
fact  is  partially  revealed — the   murder  partly   out,  we   venture  to  make 
these  observations  with  the  hope  that  some  person  who  is  more  at  liberty, 
will  tear  off  the  mask,  and  expose  to  merited  contempt  the  long-faced 
hypocrite  who  is  voluntarily  the  tool  of  clerical  conspirators." 
"CONFIRMATION. 
"To  the  Editors  of  Plain  Truth.— I  rejoice   that  the   veil  has  been 
rent,  and  a  deep  laid  and  well  matured  plot  of  the  Presbyterian  party  to 
acquire  political  ascendancy,   has  been  stript  of  its  secrecy  and  exposed 
to  public  criticism.     The  article  which  you  copied  in  }Our  last  number 
from  the   Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  is  true  in  every  essential  par- 
ticular; but  the  disclosures  are  not  so  full  as  they  might  have  been.     I 
have  been  in  possession  of  the  facts  in  relation  to  this  stupendous  plot  for 
nearly  a  year,  and  have  oftfen  thought  that  duty  to  my  fellow-countrymen 
required  tliat  I  should  make  them  public,  but  1  have  been  deterred  from 
so  doing  by  the  fear  that  the  boldness  and  magnitude  of  this  scheme  would 
excite  doubts  in  the  minds  of  some,  of  its  reality,  and  as  it  was  conceived 
and  nurtured  in  secret,  I  should  be  wanting  in  proof  to  substantiate  the 
truth  of  my  statements.  But,  happily,  the  veil  has  been  rent,  and  I  rejoice 
that  there  are  more  tongues  than  mine  to  proclaim  the  conspiracy,  and 
warn  my  countrymen  of  the  impending  danger. 

In  the  latter  part  of  August  or  fore  part  of  September  of  last  year,  a 
travelling  agent  visited  this  part  of  the  country,  and  delivered  lectures  to 
such  as  could  safely  be  entrusted  with  the  secret.  He  descanted  at 
great  length  upon  the  present  condition  of  the  press  in  this  country, 
said  it  was  under  the  control  of  men  supporting  no  religious  creed,  that 
with  this  tremendous  engine  in  their  hands  the}^  were  enabled  to  give  a 
wrong  direction  to  public  sentiment,  and  elevate  such  men  only  to  power 
and  office  as  accorded  with  them  In  opinion,  &c,,  and  concluded  by  pro- 
posing 

That  a  CENTRAL  SOCIETY  be  estabhshed  at  Washington  city,  of  a 
character  both  political  SiXid  religious;  that  a  fund  be  raised  to  be  expended 
in  printing  books,  tracts  and  newspapers;  that  the  central  printing  estab- 
lishment be  under  the  management  of  nine  directors,  a  majority  of  whom 
should  approve  as  well  the  matter  which  should  appear  in  the  national 
paper,  as  the  books  which  should  be  published;  and  that  newspapers  and 
bookstores,  subordinate  to  the  national  institution,  be  established  in  all 
the  cities  and  principal  towns  in  the  Union. 

Tlie  books  and  papers  thus  published,  he  said,  would  not  cost  half  so 

much  as  they  now  do,  and,  as  the  present  publishers  are  not  organized  as 

■  a  party,  and  cannot  print  so  cheap,   they  could  easily  be  broken  down, 

and  the  country  supplied  with  such  newspapers,  traces,  and  books,  only 

as  should  be  approved  as  orthodox. 

He  said  the  project  had  been  heartily  approved  in  every  part  of  the 
country  he  had  visited;  that  upwards  of  §300,000  had  already  been  sub- 
scribed, and  that  the  society  would  be  organized,  and  commence  opera- 
tions, so  soon  as  $500,000  should  be  raised. 

This  plan  he  communicated  under  the  strictest  obligations  of  secrecy. 
It  was  approved  by  some  to  whom  he  submitted  it,  but  not  by  all. 

I  do  not  know  how  much  money  was  subscribed  in  this  place,  but  I  have 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  ±gi 

been  informed  that  the  great  western  jojoneer  of  this  religlo-political  uartv 
[Mr.  Bissell]  subscribed  §50.  ^      * 

By  the  proceeding's  of  the  Presbyterian  convention  which  was  held  in 
this  village  on  the  20th  of  August,  you  will  perceive  that  some  steps  have 
already  been  taken  to  carry  the  above  project  into  effect.  That  con- 
vention consisted  of  Presbyterian  ministers  from  nearly  every  part  of  the 
State,  and  sat,  I  am  informed,  with  closed  doors. 

As  my  purpose  was  merely  to  corroborate  the  statement  made  in  the 
Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  I  leave  it  for  you  or  your  readers  to  make 
such  comments  as  the  subject  may  suggest.  j3 

Auburn,  (N.  F.)  Sept.   11,  1828." 

*'The  above  disclosures  furnish  a  key  to  the  memorable  declarations  of 
Dr.  Ell/,  at  Philadelphia,  and  of  Mr.  Wisner,  at  Utica  and  Auburn.  To 
doubt  any  longer  that  the  ultimate  purpose  of  all  tlie  national  and  auxiliary 
schemes  of  'benevolence'  of  the  Presbyterians,  is  to  invest  themselves 
with  a  power  co-equal  with,  if  not  superior  to,  that  of  our  present  civil 
government,  would  be  hke  doubting  the  existence  of  the  earth  on  which 
we  daily  tread." 

In  the  Rochester  Observer  of  October  last,  a  writer  over  the  signature 
of  "A  Presbyterian"  comes  out  and  acknowledges  the  fact  of  all  that  is 
stated  concerning  this  secret  agent;  but  rejoices  that  he  has  seen  no  one 
who  is  favorable  to  his  plans.  In  answer  to  tliis  piece,  we  find  the  follow- 
ing published  in  another  Rochester  paper: 

"Rev.  ISIr.  CuERnr. — The  abandonment  of  this  distinguished  Presby- 
terian leader  by  his  former  confederates  and  abettors,  in  the  hour  of  trou- 
ble, brought  on  by  the  exposure  of  a  deep  laid  plot  to  acquire  an  absolute 
control  of  the  American  press,  in  which  he  was  but  an  agent,  is  charac- 
teristic of  all  conspirators,  and  shows  how  unsafe  it  is  to  place  confidence 
in  men  whose  governing  motives  are  power  and  emolument. 

*A  Presbyterian,'  in  the  last  Rochester  Observer,  who  claims  to  know 
as  much  about  the  matter  as  any  one  in  this  region,  having  been  'closeted 
with  Cherry  one  whole  winter  evening,  to  hear  a  detail  of  his  plan,'  which 
he  'believes  to  be  substantially  the  same  as  now  published  at  the  west  ' 
and  republished  in  Plain  Truth,  feigns  great  joy  at  the  exposure  of  the 
reverend  gentleman,  and  says  that  he  has  'seen  no  one  who  has  enter- 
tained a  favorable  opinion  of  the  feasibility  of  the  views  and  plans  of  this 
said  Mr.  Cherry.'  Now,  the  absurdity  of  the  last  statement  is  made  mani- 
fest by  the  fact  that  'this  said  Mr.  Cherry,'  has  been  for  several  years  past 
an  'authorized  agent'  of  the  Presbyterian  party,  supported  wholly  at  their 
expense,  has  travelled  through  nearly  every  state  in  the  Union,  and  ob- 
tained subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  more  than  $300,000,  for  the  express- 
purpose  of  breaking  down  all  the  old  printing  establishments  in  the  coun- 
try, and  supplying  their  places  with  others  of  an  orthodox  character.  In 
Rochester,  six  Presbyterians  subscribed  $275— not  $150— as  stated  in  our 
last  number.  Now,  in  the  name  of  common  sense,  we  ask,  if  'no  one 
entertained  a  favorable  opinion  of  the  feasibility  of  this  plan,'  by  what  ne- 
cromancy was  priest  Cherry  enabled  to  get  $300,000  subscribed  to  carry 
it  into  effect?  We  will  now  give  the  names  of  five  of  the  six  citizens  of 
Rochester,  who,  Mr.  Cherry  stated,  subscribed  $275.  They  are 
JOSIAH  BISSELL,  Ja.  $50 

HARVEY  ELY,  g5(> 

WILLIAM  JAMES,  §50 

ABRAHAM  PLUMB,  $50 

*  $50 

ABNER  WAKELEE,  $50 

"Who  can  believe  that  any  one  of  the  above  gentlemen  would,  kave 


192  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

thus  lavished  his  money  upon  a  project  which  he  did  not  approve  or  deem 
feasible?     But  above  all,  would   Mr.  Bissell,   who  boasts  that  he  never- 
en^^ages  in  an  enterprise  without  resoluteness  to  carry  it  through— would 
Mr.  Bissell  have  subscribed  |50  for  a  project  which  he  did  not  approve  or 
deem  feasible? 

Remarks. — That  there  exists  among  the  leaders  in  the 
Presbyterian  church,  the  determination  to  doom  to  utter  ex- 
tinction, the  light  that  guides  the  friends  of  equal  rights,  and 
that  liberty  of  mind  which  is  their  glory,  is  too  apparent  to  re- 
quire any  further  proof.  It  is  quite  impossible  that  the 
above  named  transaction  can  be  misconstrued.  What!  mis- 
construe an  attempt  to  establish  a  national  printing  estah- 
lishment,  which  should  monopolize  all  the  printing  in  the 
union!  What  will  Presbyterians  say  to  these  things?  Will 
they  still  say  that  the  charge  of  aiming  at  an  establishment 
is  false?  Or  what  will  they  say?  Why,  verily,  they  will  say 
nothing,  as  they  generally  do  when  they  get  into  a  difficulty 
of  a  serious  nature. 

Andj  indeed,  when  this  affair  first  came  to  the  light,  the 
more  knowing  ones  of  them,  remained  profoundly  silent. 
i^Murder,"  0  ye  pious  gentry!  '■^willoiit^^  and  out  every 
thing  too,  and  when  any  set  of  men  are  clearly  convicted, 
they  had  better  hold  their  peace,  find  not  manifest  the  badness 
of  their  cause  by  a  lame  effort  at  defence.  If  the  names  of 
all  who  subscribed  to  parson  Cherry^s  paper,  throughout  the 
United  States,  could  be  come  at,  and  published  as  they  ought 
to  be,  it  ^  would  make  some  of  them  feel  Just  oniddUng! 
Could  a  list  of  their  names  be  had,  it  would  be  seen,  that  ail 
the  leading  ministers  and  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  the  union,  were  subscribers.  And  as  still  as  it  has 
been  kept,  there  were  two  gentlemen  subscribed,  who  resid- 
ed in  Knoxville! 

And  should  any  of  the  members  or  friends  of  the  ^'Central 
Society,"  think  proper  to  stir  this  matter  a  little,  they  can 
hear  something  more  on  the  subject,  for,  I  may  in  truth  say, 
the  half  has  never  yet  been  told. 

It  is  a  little  singular  that  the  ^^westehn  pilgrim,"  who 
in  18^9,  was  favored  with  an  opportunity  of  eve-dropping, 
and  over-hearing  a  lengthy  conversation  between  a  number 
of  the  most  respectable  and  distinguished  Devils,  in  a  certain 
cave,  did  not  hear  any  thing  said,  either  pro  or  con,  with  re- 
gard to  this  project!  But,  by  the  bye,  it  occurs  to  me,  that 
his  Satannic  Majesty,  only  related  to  his  welcome  guest  the 
pilgrim,  one  sideofthe  question.  He  informed  the  Pilgrim  that 
the  great  body  of  the  Methodists,  especially,  the  Bishops,  Pre- 


OF  TRESBYTERIAXISM.  193 

5idlng  Elders,  and  CircuitPreachers, were  all  employed  in  the 
work  of  Devils!— that  the  editors  of  the  Christian  Advocate 
and  Journal,  published  to  the  world  such  things  astheDevil  sug- 
gested to  them; — thatduringtheAmericanRevolution,Metho- 
dist  preachers  acted  a  part  against  this  country; — thatthe-Mis- 
sionary,  Bible,  Tract,  and  Sunday  School  Societies,  and  other  in- 
stitutions under  the  control  of  the  Methodists,  were  gotten  up  by 
the  management  of  the  Devil !— and  in  short,  thatall  theleadino- 
doctrines,  and  the  entire  polity  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  were  just  such  as  the  Devils  would  have  them  to  be! 
Now,  as  it  was  generally  known,  that  the  Devil  was  always  a  li- 
ar, this  fiend-like  slang  would  have  done  the  cause  of  Metho- 
dism no  harm,  but  for  the  circumstance  of  its  coming  from  a 
Hopkinsianpreacher!  What!  did  ever  any  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel take  up  his  abode  in  the  midst  of  the  stench,  and  smoke, 
and  brimstone,  of  a  goblin  cavern — a  cave  of  devils,  and  af- 
terwards relate  ioT  facts,  the  statements  made  to  him  in  those 
dolorous  regions?    Yes,  a  Hopkinsian  clergyman,  not  an  hun- 
dred miles  from  Rogersville,  under  the  inliuence  of  ardent 
spirits,  did  as  reported  by  himself,   enter  the  deviPs  den, 
and  hear  all  this  low  slanjr,  and  all  these  false  accusations 
against  Methodist  preachers;  and  though  he  acknowledges 
that  these  accusations  wers  brought  against  tbem  by  the  Dev- 
il, still  he  publishes  them  to  the  world  for  facts,  through  the 
medium  of  a  periodical,  of  which,  he  was  at  that  time,  ostens- 
ibly the  editor!     Shame!  shame!     This  pilgrim  has  since  set 
out  on  a  pilgrimage  to  the  west,  and  as  I  am  informed,  lo- 
cated in  the  meridian  of  Cincinnati.     It  is  to  be  hoped,  he  has 
there  found  better  co?npani/:  for  it  is  certain   that,  his  con- 
nexion with  his  Satannic  Majesty,  while  in  East  Tennessee, 
corrupted  his  morals  very  much.     And  having  taken  up  his 
residence  in  a  more  salubrious  clime,  and  in  the  midst  of  a 
higher  order  of  beings— it  is  devoutly  hoped,  that  in  future, 
he  will  never  so  far  degrade  the  ministerial  office  again,  as  to 
hold  communion  with  the  Devil !    However,  should  he  renew 
his  acquaintance  with  his  Satannic  Majesty,  and  learn  from 
him,  things  both  ''new  and  old;'^ — in  view  of  the  disgrace 
ful  circumstances  under  which  he  left  this  country,  nothing  he 
may  hereafter  publish  will  be  believed.     If  the  world  were 
full  of  such  men  as  the  Pilgrim,  I  should  be  constrained  to  ad- 
mit the  truth  of  the    horrible   sentiment   of  Voltaire:  that 
mankind  are  <<a  mere  set  of  walking  carcases,   hateful  and 
self-hated,  doomed  to  disorder  here,  and  to  annihilation  here- 
after.^'    The  Pilgrim  reminds  me  of  the  picture  of  the   Bo- 


19i  HKIPS   TO    THE    STUDY 

hon  Upas,  which  is  beautiful;  while  the  shade  of  the  real  tree 
is  disease,  and  the  fruit,  death. 

Were  I  disposed  to  use  all  the  epithets,  found  in  the  vocab- 
ulary which  the  excitement  of  the  times  has  rendered  but  too 
common,  I  might  call  him  an  enemy  to  religion,  a  sacrile- 
gious man,  a  blasphemer,  a  tyrant,  a  most  violent  usurper  of 
unjust  dominion  over  others,  a  slanderer  of  the  dead  and  the 
living,  the  man  of  sin, — the  son  of  perdition.  But  passion 
is  not  piety;  the  calling  of  hard  names  is  not  argument;  the 
loading  of  an  opponent  with  curses  and  detraction,  is  not  the 
most  probable  way  of  convincing  him,  nor  is  the  exhibition 
of  the  odium  theologicum  a  very  happy  exemplification  of 
obedience  to  those  precepts,  which  require  us,  when  we  are 
reviled,  not  to  revile  again,  and  dem^and  that  *«the  servant  of 
the  Lord  should  not  strive,  but  be  gentle  towards  all  men, 
meekly  instructing  those  who  oppose  themselves  to  the  truths 
if  peradventure  God  will  give  them  repentance.'^ 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  HISTORY  AND  MYSTERY   OF   A  CERTAIN  FORTY-ONE  DOL- 
LARS AND  FORTY-FOUR  CENTS. 

The  collisions  in   the  political   world — the  disputes  be- 
tween  contending  parties — the  contentions  among  the  dif- 
ferent orders   of  christians — and  I  may  add,   the  conflicts 
among  brethren  of  the  same  household — have  all  tended  to 
keep   alive  that  keen   sensibility  of  soul   which  makes  us 
watch  each  other's  movements  with  a  jealous  eye,  to  mark 
any  deviations  from  what  each  one  may  think  just  and  true, 
with  a  more  than  usual  solicitude.     All  this,  if  kept  within 
the  bounds  of  christian   moderation,  may  be  productive  of 
much  good.     But  if  suffered  to  run  wild,  in  the  open  fields 
of  bold  and  unchastened  speculation,  to  riot  at  large  in  an  un- 
restrained abuse  of  each  other's  measures  and  conduct,  in- 
stead of  promoting  peace  and  good  will  among  men,  it  will 
only  tend  to  engender  strife,  and  to  stir-  up  every  evil  work. 
Aware  of  these  things,  I  have  endeavored  in  this  Work,  as 
much  as  possible,  to  avoid  coloring  as  high  as  I  might  have 
done,  and  still  have  kept  strictly  within  the  bounds  of*  truth. 
This  rule  I  shall  observe  in  this  chapter.     Like  the  fabled 
Dragon,  which  is  said  never  in  sleep  to  close  his  lidless  eyes, 
I  have,  for  several  years  past,  exerted  my  every  nerve  in  de- 
fence of  truth,  and  In  opposing  error;  and  this  I  will  continue 


OF  PRESBYTERIAVISM.  193 

toAo,  while  I  have  strength  to  wield  a  pen,  or  lungs,  to  sound 
the  alarm.     I  am  well  aware  of  the  deadly  opposition  which 
will  be  made  to  this  work;  notwithstanding  it  has,  hereto 
fore,  been  the  polici/  of  those  whose  evil  deeds  I  have  brought 
to  the  light,  to  treat  me  with  silent  contempt.     Being;  a  kind 
ot  privileged  character,  I  have  several  times  been  allowed 
peaceably  to  publish  my  sentiments  to  the  world;  and  great 
pains  have  been  taken,  to  make  the  above  unfavorable  im- 
pression  on  the  public  mind,  for  the  express  purpose,  of  pre- 
venting what  I  might  say  from  having  its  due  weio-ht      It  is 
rational  to  expect  this  from  those  whose  unholy  designs  are 
tried,  -y.^  so  as  hy  fire.:^     Let  them  pour  upon  me  the  vials 
ot  contumely,  reproach,  defamation,  and  all  the  baser  pas- 
sions of  the  human  heart,  I  shall  still  go  on  in  the   bold  but 
even  tenor  of  my  way.     The  law  of  Athens,  at  one  time, 
made  it  a  capital  offence  for  any  citizen  to  remain  neutral  in 
times  of  danger      This   is  as  it  should  be.     A  lukewarm 
triend  is  more  to  be  dreaded  than  an  open  enemy.     If  ive 
lean  upon  them  for  support,  we  shall  find  to  our  cost,  that  we 
have  leaned  upon  a  broken  reed.     Away,  then,   with   this 
mean,  contemptible,  time-serving  policy.     This  is  no  time  to 
-becomeall  things  to  all  men,-^at  least,  in  the  sense  some 
^em  to  understand  the  injunction.     But  I  must  fly  off  in  a 
tangent  to  another  subject. 

^J^^  T'^  shameful  transaction  connected  with  the  iniqui- 

h^  n7Th^"^n"^-^^"P^^'^^^^"^^^  i"  East  Tennessee?  is 
that  of  the  collection  and  dl.tHbuliuu  of  a  certain/oVone 
dollar,  and  forty. four  cents,  taken  up  at  a  Sy  nodical  meet- 
ing held  in  Athens,  i;i  the  Fall  of '  1830.  That  ^e  r^d', 
may  more  ully  understand  this  matter,  I  will  ^..r:  J.Z^l 
lish  a  circular,  which  some  few  weeks  after  this  occurrence 
was  published  and  circulated  through  that  section  of  country 


'strange  proceedings. 


plUhn,e„t  of  the  MILL^E'llN'^UM^i:  Lt[Z  't:^tCyl^\:'::^ 
iZZ-^wr  ",  *"'  !"''''=<'  op™""'  *at  whatever  me^sTe  D  vinTBe 

Sttrfa^f  1,*?n""''%'^'=P"''^^'l<'*  ""^  Hedeemer-s  Kingdom.  This 
hrbitfat  once '.h/?-"'^  ■="''""•  *^*''  "■"»♦  "-^  ^"PPortedi  and  ex! 
everv  ftir^r*'     f  r^^t.^Port^nce  and  necessity  of  the  contributions  of 

■cf"Lr.ence."''"^^'"''^^  ^''  '^-  ""=  -"^<^'"?  -^*-  of  suoh  an  act 

whfrerEriT[hfmtf"o?s;rir:h"^ 

denUy  solicited  to  aid  in  this  ^2^1  and  ^nl  ■=™g'!S»fO"  were  ar- 
tunicate  Go^peUiherty  tolStStftXTn^^r^^^  ^  S" 


196  HELPS    TO  THE    STUDY 

ten  dollars,  five  dollars,  one  dollar,  half  dollar,  quarter  dollar,  and  what- 
ever they  choose.  According-ly  a  collection  of  about  forty-one  dollars  and 
forty-four  cents  was  made  for  the  use  and  support  of  Foreign  Missions^ 
which,  on  the  next  day,  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  Synod,  was  appro- 
priated to  the  use  and  support  of  Borne  Missions.  Had  the  cong-regation 
been  apprised  that  it  was  desig-ned  for  the  use  and  support  of  Home  Mis- 
sions, it  is  presumable  the  amount  of  contributions  would  not  have  been 
quite  so  great.  Can  a  Christian  Ministry  act  in  this  way  and  be  guiltless? 
Does  not  such  disguised  villainy  lie  shrouded  with  the  mantle  of  Chris- 
tian benevolence,  at  the  bottom  of  most  of  their  schemes  of  Gospel  monop- 
oly? 

Should  the  facts  herein  contained  be  disputed,  they  will,  at  any  time, 
be  proven  and  established  by  the  best  of  testimony. 

A  FRIEND  TO  THE  BEST  INTEREST  OF  MAN. 

Nov.  20,  1830." 

Now,  I  have  repeatedly  been  charged  with  writing  the 
above  circular,  and  I  have  as  repeatedly  denied  the  charge^ 
not  that  I  disapprove  of  its  publication,  or  disbelieve  its  con- 
tents. But,  had  I  written  it,  instead  of  saying  ^^strange pro- 
ceedings," I  would  have  said,  common  pkoceedings!  For 
among  these  clerical  jugglers,  this  mode  of  embezzlement, 
this  species  of  clandestine  conspiracy,  against  the  pockets 
and  purses  of  the  American  people,  is  but  too  common.  The 
following  correspondence  will  enable  the  reader  to  decide  up- 
on the  ai(thor ship  of  this  production: 

"Stbawberhy  PiAiifs,  April  28,  1834.  _ 
*'i?ev.  George  Home: — Sir,  I  have  to  request  a  favor  of  you,  which,  if 
leisure  will  permit  and  inclination  prompt,  I  am  sure  you  will  grant.  It 
is  this;  I  wish  to  know  if  j-au  <aj.c  nut  the  avi-tKor  of  a  certain  circular  pub- 
lished in  1830,  headed  "strange  proceedings,"  and  signed  "a.  friexd  to 
THE  BEST  INTEREST  OF  MAN;"  and  purporting  to  be  an  exposition  of  a  cei-- 
tain  Jesuitical  exploit,  performed  in  your  town  by  certain  Hopkinsian 
preacUei-s,  in  relation  to  a  certsiin  forty-one  dollars  and  forty-four  cents. 

I  expect  shortly  to  publish  a  book,  in  which,  I  intend  to  set  this  sacri- 
legious transaction  forth  in  its  true  light;  and  if  you  are  the  author  of  the 
production  to  which  I  allude,  and  have  no  objection,  I  will  use  your  name 
to  that  effect. 

I  have,  myself,  been  charged  with  the  authorship  of  the  aforesaid  cir- 
cular; and  though  I  had  no  part  or  lot  in  the  matter,  yet,  I  know  its  con- 
tents to  be  true;  and  after  it  had  made  its  appearance,  I  cordially  approv- 
ed its  publication,  as  did  many  others,  to  my  certain  knowledge. 
I  am.  Reverend  Sir,  your  obedient  humble  serv't. 

W.  G.  BROWNLOW." 

"Athens,  Ten.  27th  June,  1834. 
Brother  Brownlow: — Dear  Sir,  I  returned  home  from  the  East,  day  be- 
fore yesterday,  and  received  your  favor  of  the  28th  April  last,  request- 
ing me  to  inform  you  whether  or  not,  I  am  the  author  of  a  certain  circu- 
lar, headed  "strange  proceedings,"  and  signed  "A  friend  to  the  best  in- 
terest of  man."  With  regard  to  this,  I  can  but  reply  in  the  affirmative; 
having  written  it  from  ». personal  knowledge  of  the  facts  therein  exposed; 


OF  PBESBTTERIANISM,  197 

and>  having  been  inclined  thereto  from  a  desire  to  correct  errOi%  without 
injuring  the  feelings  of  any  consistent  and  pious  persons; — I  have  how- 
ever, no  particular  wish  that  it  should  be  re-published,  but  as  you  may 
not  wish  to  be  regarded  as  its  author,  I  shall  not  object  to  your  making 
any  use  of  it  that  you  may  wish. 

Respectfully,  &c.  GEORGE  HORNE." 

As  a  powerful  struggle  will  be  made  to  get  out  of  this 
shameful  matter,  I  will  adduce  such  clear  and  strong  proof, 
as  will  place  it  beyond  the  reach  of  successful  contradiction. 
The  following  certilicate  I  obtained  the  day  after  this  collec- 
tion was  raised: 

*^At  the  request  of  Mr.  Brownlow,  we  the  undersigned  do  certify,  that 
we  were  at  the  Hopkuisian  Synodical  meeting,  held  in  Athens  in  Octo- 
ber, 1830;  and  on  Sabbath  of  said  meeting,  we  heard  Doctor  Anderson 
preach  what  he  called  a  viissionary  sermon,  at  the  close  of  which,  the  hats 
were  carried  round,  and  a  collection  of  money  raised  for  the  support  of 
the  missionary  cause.  In  the  sermon,  the  speaker  frequently  spoke  of 
the  accomplishment  of  the  Millenium,  and  enumerated  tlie  destitute  na- 
tions, naming  the  heathen  nations  yet  destitute  of  the  Gospel,  and  ardentj 
iy  solicited  the  aid  of  the  people  to  supply  said  heathens.  We  moreover 
certify,  that  we  heard  nothing  in  said  seraion  to  authorize  a  belief,  that 
the  money  was  for  any  other  purpose  but  that  of  Foreign  Missions. 

G.  R.  COX, 
JOHN  HARD  WICK, 
JOHN  BOLDING." 

"Being  requested  to  state  what  we  know,  about  a  certain  collection  and 
appropriation  of  $41  and  some  cents,  at  tlie  Hopkinsian  Synod  held  at 
Athens  last  fall,  we  think  proper  to  say  that  we  evidently  understood 
the  collection  to  have  been  made  for  the  use  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  we 
were  astonished  on  the  next  day,  or  day  after,  to  notice  an  appropriation 
of  the  above  collection  of  §41  and  some  cents,  by  the  members  of  the 
Synod  unanlmouslv,  to  the  use  of  Home  Missions.  Given  under  our 
hands  29th  July,    1831. 

GEORGE  HORNE, 
ABRAMA.  HEARD." 

"This  is  to  certify,  that  I  held  a  conversation  with  Doctor  Anderson  in 
Maryville,  relative  to  the  money  collected  at  the  Synod  in  Athens  last 
fall,  and  he  told  me  that  he  did  not  say  what  society  of  missions  the 
money  was  for,  and  that  foreign  missions  were  not  named  at  the  time  the 
collection  was  made! ! !  He  also  told  me  that  they  had  appropriated  the 
money  to  the  use  and  support  of  Home  missions,  and  that  Mr.  Hoyt  had 
the  money  ready  for  the  Board. 

August  7,  1831.  IRA  FALLS." 

In  commenting  on  the  above  certificates,  and  the  matter  to 
which  they  refer,  I  have  only  to  say,  that  all  six  of  the  men 
whose  names  are  attached  thereunto,  are  gentlemen  of  the 
^rst  respectability:  and  three  of  them,  to  wit,  Home,  Bold- 
ing  and  Falls,  are  Ministers  of  very  respectable  standing  in 
r2 


198  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  However,  I  must  be  per- 
mitted to  add,  that,  to  my  own  knowledge,  the  gentleman  who  • 
preached  the  aforesaid  sermon,  was  particular  to  mention 
lifrica,  Greenland,  and  the  JSborigines  of  our  own  coun- 
try, as  the  objects  of  the  people's  charity;  and  he  assured 
them,  that  their  money  would  be  appropriated  to  the  use  \ 
and  support  of  missionaries  who  might  be  sent  out  to  those  -^ 
destitute  regions.  How  the  gentleman  will  avoid  the  charge 
of  having  acted  with  duplicity  on  that  occasion,  I  know  not, 
unless  he  shall  say  that  by  the  aborigines  he  meant  the  Hi- 
wasseans; — that  by  Greenland  he  meant  the  Sequatcheans; 
— and  that  by  Africa  he  intended  JVestern  Virginia  or  the 
upper  part  of  East  Tennessee,  as  the  negro  population  is 
greatest  in  those  parts! 

Knowing  as  I  did,  that  there  w^ere  but  three  Boards,  to 
which  the  Presbyterians  accounted  for  monies  received  in  this 
way,  viz:  the  Assembly's  Board  at  Philadelphia,  the  For- 
eign Board  at  Boston,  and  tlie  Plome  Board  at  New  York; 
and  being  determined  at  the  same  time,  to  ascertain,  if  pos- 
sible, what  had  become  of  this  money,  I  addressed  letters  to 
each  of  these  places,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy: 

"Mabisoxyiile,  Tejt.  July  5th,  1831. 
'■^Dear  Sir: — At  the  last  Synodical  meeting  held  in  Athens,  Tennessee, 
in  October  last,  there  was  a  certain  sum  of  money  collected  for  the  use 
and  support  of  Foreig-n  Missions;  and  the  individual  whose  duty  it  was  to 
have  forwarded  it  to  you,  has  not  done  so,  as  we  think.  If  he  have  not, 
there  is  a  defect  somewhere,  and  we  wish  to  remedy  it.  You  will  please 
write  tome  upon  the  reception  of  this,  and  let  us  know  whether  you  have 
received  the  money,  or  an  equivalent. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  Sec.  W.  G.  BROWNLOW." 

"Boston,  July  19,  1831. 

<-yDear  Sir: — Your  favor  of  the  5th  inst.  has  this  day  been  received. 
I'he  Kev.  Mr.  Potter  of  Creek  Path,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Chamberlain  of 
Willstown,  received  $58  88,  collected  at  the  meeting"  of  the  Synod  of 
West  Tennessee;  and  accounted  to  our  Board  for  the  same,  and  the 
money  is  acknowledged  in  the  Missionary  Herald  for  December  last,  page 
400. — I  presume  this  is  the  money  to  which  you  refer.  But  if  it  is  not, 
I  should  be  much  obliged  by  any  information  which  you  may  be  able  to 
give  me  rsepecting  it. 

I  am,  dear  Sir,  yours  very  respectfully,  HENRY  HILL. 

Mr.  W.  G.  Browuiow-." 

"OFFICE  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS,      I 
JuLT  2 1st,  1831.3 
'''Dear  Sir: — Your  letter  of  the  5th  inst.   was  duly  received.    I  have 
examined  our  receipts  from  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  your  Synod,  and 
see  no  acknowledgment  of  any  money  collected  at  that  time:  you  men- 
tion ^ov  Foreign  Missions,-  if  it  was  collected  for  that  object,  it  might  have  ; 


OF   PRE  SBYTERIAXISM.  ±9$ 

befen  sent  to  Boston,  but  if  for  Domestic  Missions,  it  ought  to  have  come 
here;  or  to  the  II.  M.  Society  at  N.  York:  if  it  was  intended  for  the  ''As- 
sembly's Board  of  Missions,"  it  must  be  sent  to  S.  Alkn,  Esq.  Treasurer j 
iVo.  34  South  3d  Street,  Philadelphia. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obed't  serv't, 

J.  T.  RUSSELL,  Cor,  Sec, 
^V.  G.  Browxlow." 

"OFFICE  OF  THE  A.  H.  M.  S.  144,  Nassatt  st.,  7 
New  York,  Jtjiy  2S,  1831.  5 
''Mr.  W.  G.  Brownlow: — Dear  Sir,  yours  of  the  5th  inst.  was  duly  re* 
ceived.  In  reply  to  your  inquiry,  whether  certain  monies  collected  for 
the  American  Home  Missionary  Society — at  the  meeting  of  the  Tennes- 
see Synod  in  October  last,  have  ever  been  paid  to  us — I  answer  as  fol- 
lows: Rev.  Darius  Hoyt  certified  to  us  that  §41  had  been  collected  at  the 
Synodical  mQQ\\n^  previous — which  with  §3  in  his  hands  before,  made  the 
amount  of  §44  in  his  possession,  subject  to  the  order  of  the  American 
Home  Missionary  Society.  In  order  to  avoid  the  risk  of  sending  it  by 
mail,  and  for  the  sake  of  convenience  in  drawing  for  it  to  pay  missiona- 
ries in  Tennessee,  we  have  chosen  to  have  it  remain  in  Mr.  Hoyt's  hands. 
We  expect  to  send  an  order  for  it  in  a  day  or  two.  With  warm  wishes 
for  the  spiritual  prosperity  of  Tennessee,  I  remain  yours,  &c. 

A.  PETERS,  Cor.  Sec.  A.  H.  M.  S., 

By  Chas.  Haxi,  .Assist, 

Remarks. — The  whole  matter  is  now  before  the  reader. 
Let  each  one  judge  for  himself,  so  far  as  honesty  or  dishonesty, 
truth  or  falsehood,  are  concerned.     But  let  no  one  say,  that 
these   ministers  are  excusable,   inasmuch  as  Mr.  Hoyt   in- 
formed Mr.  Peters  that  the  money  was  in  Mary  ville,  subject 
to  his  order;  for,  as  before  stated,  the  money  was  not  collected 
for  Mr.  Peters'   board.     Besides,  if  the  people  had  known 
that  their  money  was  to  go   to  the  use  and  support  of  little 
Call' inis tic  hoim  missiojiaries,  as  Mr.    Home  says  in  his 
circular,  ^^it  is  presumable  the  amount  of  contributions  would 
not  have  been  quite  so  great."     I  would  like  to  hear  Messrs. 
Hoyt  or  Peters  answer  the  following  questions.      When  was 
this  money  raised.^     /^Ae;z  was  Mr.  Peters  notified.^     How 
long  isitfrom  October,  1830,  till  July,  1831.^     Was  not  Mr. 
Peters   informed  by  a  correspondent  in  Maryville,  that  he 
would  be  written  to  on  this  subject  by  some  one  not  very 
friendly  to  the  Presbyterians.^     Why  was  the  board  at  NewJ 
York  notified  at  all,  that  this  money  had  been  raised?     Was 
it  because  of  the  publication  of  Home's  circular.^     Orw^as  it 
because  of  the  publication  of  Brownlow's  pamphlet  in  tbe 
spring  following?     Why  was  not  an  "order''  sent  for  this  mo- 
ney in  less  than  ten  months  after  it  was  collected?   Why  "send 
an  order  for  it  in  a  day  or  two"  after  the  reception  of  my 
letter?     And  last  of  all,  was  "Me  risk  of  sending  it  by  maiV 
greater  in  1830,  than  in  1831?    But  to  me,  it  seems  quite 


200  HELPS   TO  THE   STXJDT 

superfluous  to  multiply  questions  in  reference  to  this  topic,  • 
Tiiis  may  be  Hopkinsian  disinterested  benevolence,  but  it  is 
not  the  benevolence  of  the  Bible.  But  benevolence  of  this 
kind  is  unworthy  the  name:  it  is  nothing  better  than  refined, 
attenuated,  and  decrepid  roguery.  Not  an  element  does  the 
transaction  contain,  not  a  quality  does  it  exhibit,  which  is  not 
directly  at  war  with  the  spirit  and  practice  of  Christianity, 
not  to  say  of  common  honesty. 

The  moral  disadvantages  of  such  conduct,  and  its  manifest 
tendency,  in  the  hands  of  such  men,  to  corrupt  even  the 
heathen  themselves,  are  evils  which  cannot  be  too  deeply 
deplored. 

The  guilt  of  lying,  which  attaches  itself  to  the  features  of 
this  transaction,  is  that  of  the  most  odious  kind ;  it  is  guilt,  the 
offspring  of  design,  illy  reflected  on,  deeply  corrupt,  shan>e- 
fully  false,  and  secretly  though  badly  matured.  Oppression, 
perfidy,  malignant  passion,  restless  violation  of  the  rights  of 
others,  and  rank,  hot  incense  of  murder,  and  inhuman  spolia- 
tion, all  meet  in  this  dark  deed.  Despair,  and  death,  and 
misery,  manifold  and  worse  than  death,  have,  since  this  oc- 
currence, followed  in  their  ghastly  train;  and  rioted,  as  with 
infernal  drunkenness  of  delight,  amidst  the  scenes  of  agony 
occasioned  by  an  improper  use  of  this  money.  The  record 
of  this  deep  crime  is  now  written  on  tlie  sands  of  Africa  and 
Greenland,  and  stamped  on  their  imperishable  rocks!  And 
if,  gentlemen,  in  the  plenitude  of  his  compassion,  that  God, 
whose  majesty  you  have  thus  awfully  despised,  defied,  and 
insulted,  shall  see  fit  to  confer  on  you,  in  token  of  the  pardon 
of  your  black  offence,  the  honorabl  e  distinction  of  pardoned 
sinners,  I  shall  greatly  rejoice. 

A  few  reflections,  gentlemen,  and  I  shall  have  done  with 
this  matter  for  the  present.  Let  me  only  call  your  attention 
to  the  object  of  missions.  With  this  you  must  be  duly  im- 
pressed, when  you  consider  the  evils  which  prevail  where  the 
gospel  is  not  known,  and  which  it  is  designed  to  remove. 
Think,  gentlemen,  of  the  degradation  and  misery  of  all  who 
are  strangers  to  the  blessings  of  the  gospel.  Think  of  mil- 
lions of  immortal  beings,  bowing  down  to  images,  or  paying 
religious  devotion  to  reptiles,  or  to  stones.  Think  of  infatua- 
ted mothers,  tearing  away  their  smiling  infants  from  their 
bosoms,  and  easting  them  to  contending  alligators,  or  offering 
them  a  sacrifice  upon  the  altars  of  gross  superstition.  Think 
of  the  dying  agonies  of  the  bereaved  widow  upon  the  funeral 
pile  of  her  deceased  husband,  and  the  living  woes  of  the  son 
who  lights,  and  the  weeping  orphan  who  surrounds  it.  Think 


OF   FBESBTTERIANISM.  201 

of  the  multitudes  of  infatuated  victims  annually  crushed  be- 
neath the  wheel  of  their  idol  god,  and  the  infinite  variety  of 
licentious  and  sanguinary  rites  which  attend  the  superstitions 
that  prevail  over  a  large  portion  of  the  eastern  hemisphere; 
and  then  think  of  this  mo?iei/,  and  of  the  supreme  excellence 
of  which  these  unfortunate  creatures  have  been  deprived  by 
your  conduct. 

From  these  turn  your  eyes  to  the  tribes  who  inhabit  our 
western  wilderness,  for  whose  spiritual  good  you  said  this 
money  was  in  part  collected.     Mark  their  degradation  of  char- 
acter, their  sottish  habits  of  life,  and  the  wretchedness  and 
misery  which  every  w^here  attend  them.     Look  at  the  con- 
dition of  those  nations,  your  neighbors,  who  are  struggling 
for  civil  liberty  and   independence.     To  the  true  privileges 
of  God's  people,  and  the  rich  blessings  of  the  gospel  many 
of  them  are  entire  strangers.     Gentlemen,  your  duty  is  plain, 
and  God  will  require  it  of  you.     You  have   kept  back  an 
active  missionary  from  some  destitute  region.     What  a  pity  I 
Gentlemen,  if  you  hoard  up  that  money,  or  apply  it  to  the 
support  of  home  missions,  or  squander  it  upon  yourselves  or 
your  families,  and   neglect  the  cause  for  the  promotion  of 
which  you  declared  it  was  intended,  how  will  you  render  up 
an  account  to  God  in  a  coming  day?     Can  you  reconcile  it 
with  your  feelings  to  see  your  fellow  beings  in  the  judgment, 
on  the  left  hand  of  the  Judge,  and  know  that  a  right  use  of 
this  money,  might  have  been  instrumental  in  their  salvation? 
And  yet,  gentlemen,  you  are  in  danger  of  this, — if  you  fail 
to  restore  to  them  their  due;  aye,   and  more  too; — you  are 
in  danger  of  being  found  on  the  left  hand  with  them. 

But  must  not  such  conduct  do  great  injury  to  the  cause  of 
religion,  here  in  our  own  country?     Will  not  many,  upon 
hearing  that  ministe7\s  act  thus,  turn  away  in  disgust  from  all 
religion.     In  a  conversation,   which  Napoleon  Buonaparte 
held  with   his  friends  at  St.  Helena,  he  said,  among  many 
other  things,  «<how  is  it  possible  that  convifetion  can  find  its 
way  to  our  hearts,  when  we  witness  the  acts  of  iniquity  of  tha 
greatest  number  of  those  whose  business  it  is  to  preach  to  \i%? 
I  am  surrounded  with  priests  who  preach  incessantly  that 
their  reign  is  not  of  this  world,   and  yet,  they  lay  hand^ 
upon  every  thing  they  can  get!"     May  God,  the  fountain 
of  all  good,  save  the  writer  and  the  reader,  from  ever  bring- 
ing a  reproach  upon  the  cause  of  religion !     And  may  God, 
in  the  plenitude  of  his  compassion,  grant  unto  the  members 
of  this  synod,  the  free  and  full  pardon  of  this,  their  almost 
unpardonable  sin,  is  among  the  most  ardent  desires  of  my  soul ! 


PART  IT. 


Th-e  Calvikiian  &nd  Hopkinsiaa  aoctrittefl,  in  their  true  colors,  as 
contained  iu  the  writings  of  Calviii  and  Hopkins,  and  also  the 
'Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in 
the  United  States* 


CHAPTER  I. 


■CALVINISM)  IN  ITS  TRUE  COLORS,   AS  CONTAINED  IN  THE  WRI- 
TINGS   OF  JOHN  CALVIN. 

The  name  of  Calvinists^  was  given  at  first  to  those  who 
embraced  not  only  the  doctrine,  but  the  church  government 
and  discipline  established  at  Geneva,  by  John  Calvin,  the 
celebrated  reformer. 

But  since  the  meeting  and  unwarrantable  transactions  of 
the  synod  of  Dort,  the  name  has  been  applied  to  all  who  em- 
brace Calvin's  leading  views  of  the  gospel.     Calvin  was  born 
at  Noyon  m  Picardy,  July  10,  1509.     He  first  studied  the 
civil  law,  and  was  afterwards  made  professor  of  divinity  at 
Geneva;  and  it  is  a  great  pity  that  he  did  not  continue  in  the 
study  and  practice  of  the  civil  law.     Calvin,  although  a  rC' 
former  of  Geneva,  nevertheless  aimed  at  a  revival  of  Romish 
tyranny.     Agreeably  to  the  spirit  of  a  certain  consistorial 
chamber,  or  a  kind  of  inquisition,  of  which  he  was  a  distin- 
guished member,  he  proceeded  to  most  unwarrantable  lengths; 
to  which  indeed  he  was  but  too  easily  impelled  by  a  natural 
warmth  and  unrelenting  hardness  of  temper.     Calvin  was 
both  in  principle  and  practice,  a  persecutor.     So  entirely  was 
he   in  favor  of  the   persecuting  measures,   that  he  wrote  a 
treatise  in  defence  of  them,  maintaining  the  lawfulness  of 
them  in  putting  heretics  to  death ! — And  by  heretics  he  meant 
all  who  differed  from  himself,  such  for  instance  as  Servetus 
and  Castellio.     The  former  a  physician,  having  written  Cal- 
vin some  letters  upon  the  mystery  of  the  trinity,  which  ap- 
peared to  contain  heterodox  notions,  he  actually  made  them 
the  ground  work  of  a  persecution  against  him;  and  this  perse- 
cution did  not  cease,  or  stop  in  its  progress,  till  the  unhappy 
culprit  was  consigned  to  the  flames !     Previous  to  Servetus's 
death,  upon  the  recommendation  and  advice  af  Calvin,^he 


204  HELPS   TO  THE   STTTDY 

was  put  into  a  deep  dungeon,  where  he  was  almost  eaten  up 
with  vermin,  forbidden  the  supplies  he  needed  in  his  con- 
iinement, — and  with  all,  before,  they  cast  him  into  this  dun- 
geon, they  took  from  him  97  pieces  of  gold,  a  gold  chain 
worth  20  crowns,  and  6  gold  rings! 

Castellio,  a  man  of  learning  and  piety,  had  the  misfortune 
to  differ  with  Calvin  in  judgment,  in  relation  to  absolute  pre- 
destination.  This  Calvin  could  not  bear,  and  therefore 
treated  Castellio  in  so  rude  and  cruel  a  manner,  that  even  his 
warmest  friends  are  ashamed  to  justify  him.  In  his  writings 
he  calls  him,  ^'blasphemer,  reviler,  malicious,  barking  dog, 
full  of  ignorance,  beastiality  and  impudence,  imposter,  a  base 
corrupter  of  the  sacred  writings,  a  mocker  of  God,  a  con- 
temner of  all  religion,  an  impudent  fellow,  a  filthy  dog,  a 
knave,  an  impious,  lewd,  crooked-minded  vagabond,  beggarly 
rogue./'  Castellio,  by  the  persecutions  of  Calvin,  was  thrown 
into  sii€h  circumstances  of  poverty,  that  he  was  scarce  able 
to  maintain  himself  And  for  drawing  out  of  the  river 
Rhine,  near  the  banks  of  which  he  lived,  the  wood  that 
floated  down,  (which  was  every  man's  property  that  could 
ciatch  it)  this  charitable  man  Calvin,  published  him  to  the 
world  for  theft!  Reader,  this  is  pious  reform!  This  is  re- 
forming that  spirit  of  intolerance  in  the  church  of  Rome! 
All  this  cruelty  was  practised  upon  a  Protestant,  in  the 
Protestant  city  of  Geneva!  And  this  is  the  old  man,  whose 
doctrines,  discipline  and  practice,  are  held  in  such  high  esteem 
by  the  Presbyterians,  and  the  rest  of  the  Calvinistic  denomi- 
nations. But  to  return.  Calvinism,  within  Ihe  last  half  cen- 
tury, has  undergone  so  many  and  great  changes,  or  rather 
modifications,  that  it  is  no  longer  in  form  and  appearance 
what  it  was,  that  is,  in  ih^  sermons  of  Calvinistic  divines; 
though,  in  ih^iv  printed  ivorks,  the  doctrine  is  the  same,  and 
these  they  are  determined  never  to  revoke.  They  have  used 
a  great  d<;alof  art  and  policy,  and  deception,  in  order  to  keep 
their  doctrine  in  countenance,  but  all  to  little  purpose,  for  the 
sovereign  muititude  are  determined  to  believe  their  own  ey(^s^ 
in  preference  to  the  statements  of  any  people. 

TheCalvinists  complain  much  of  being  misunderstood  and 
misrepresented;  but  when  they  shall  set  forth  their  new  faith, 
and  their  old  faith  in  plain  and  intelligible  language,  I  am 
confident  their  complaints  will  cease;  for  I  cannot  believe 
there  is  a  disposition  in  the  community  to  do  them  injustice. 
But  the  old  system  of  Calvinism  all  understand:  the  neiv  sys- 
tem no  one  can  understand.  Whether  a  concealed  method  of 
holding  and  teaching  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  be  in  accord- 


OF   PRESBTTERIANISM.  205 

Since  with  the  spirit  and  design  of  the  same,  deserves  to  be 
seriously  considered.  And  whether  or  not  it  be  desirable  to 
add  a  number  of  persons  to  a  church,  under  a  mistaken  view 
of  what  is  the  faith  of  that  church,  will  not  long  be  doubted 
by  any  who  love  frankness  and  open  dealing.  However,  I 
do  not  wonder  in  the  least,  that  those  who  resolve  all  the 
wicked  motives  and  conduct  of  men  and  devils,  into  the 
efficient  decrees  of  God,  should  labor  to  conceal  their  real 
sentiments,  or  hide  the  deformities  of  such  a  system.  Now, 
as  John  Calvin  will  be  allowed  by  all  to  be  a  competent 
teacher  of  Calvinism,  I  insist  that  his  exposition  of  the  doc- 
trine which  take  his  name,  may  be  consulted  as  the  most 
-satisfactory  authority.  Therefore  I  shall  commence  with  ex- 
tracts from  his  own  Institutes.  He  teaches  the  doctrine  in 
the  following  style: 

**CALVIn's  1K6TITUTES. Vol.  2. 

^'Predestination  we  call  the  eternal  decree  of  God,  by  which  he  hath 
^rietermined  in  himself,  what  be  would  have  to  become  of  every  i?idiv{dual 
of  mankind.  For  they  are  not  created  with  a  similar  destiny;  but  eternal 
jife  is  oi-dained  for  some,  and  eternal  damnation  for  others.'"     Page  420. 

**We  affirm  that  this  counsel,  as  far  as  concerns  the  elect  is  founded  on 
his  gratuitous  mercy,  totally  irrespective  of  human  inerit;  but  that  to 
those  whom  he  devotes  to  condemnation,  tlie  gate  of  life  is  closed  by  a 
just  and  irreprehensible,  but  incomprehensible,  judgment.  In  the  elect, 
we  consider  calling  as  an  evidence  of  election,  and  justification  as  another 
token  of  its  manifestation,  till  they  arrive  in  g^ory,  which  constitutes  its 
completion.  As  God  seals  the  elect  by  vocation  and  justification,  so  by 
excluding  tlie  reprobate  from  the  knowledge  of  his  name  and  the  sanctifi- 
cation  of  his  spirit,  he  aflbrds  an  indication  of  the  judgment  that  awaits 
them."  Page  425.  ' 

"When  the  human  mind  hears  these  things,  its  petulence  breaks  all 
restraint  and  it  discovers  as  seriaus  and  violent  agitation  as  if  alarmed  by 
the  sound  of  a  martial  trumpet.  Many  indeed  as  if  they  wished  to  avert 
odium  from  God,  admit  election  in  such  a  way  as  to  deny  that  any  one 
is  reprobated.  But  this  is  puerile  and  abs<.ird,  because  election  itself 
could  not  exist  without  being  opposed  to  reprobation.  God  is  said  to 
separate  those  whom  he  adopts  to  salvation.  To  say  that  others  obtain 
by  chance  or  acquire  by  their  own  efforts,  that  which  election  alone  con- 
fers on  a  few,  will  be  worse  than  absurd.  Whom  God  passes  by  there- 
fore he  reprobates,  and  from  no  other  cause,  than  his  determination  to 
exclude  them  from  the  inheritance  which  he  predestines  for  his  cMldren." 
Page  442. 

"These  things  will  amply  suffice  for  persons  of  piety  and  modesty,  who 
remember  that  they  are  men.  But  as  these  virulent  adversaries  are  not 
content  with  one  species  of  opposition,  we  will  reply  to  them  all  a:s  occa- 
sion may  require.  Foolish  mortals  enter  into  many  contentions  with  God, 
as  though  they  could  arraign  him  to  plead  to  their  accusations.  Tn  the 
first  place  they  enquire,  by  what  right  the  Lord  is  angry  with  his  crea- 
tures who  had  not  provoked  him  by  any  previous  offence;  for  that,  to  de- 
rote  to  destruction  whom  he  pleases,  is  more  like  the  caprice  of  a  tyrant 
than  the  lawful  sentence  of  a  j^djg-evtJvat  men  h»>ir&  reason,  therefore  to 
8 


Uq6  he  LI'S   TO   THE    STUDY 

expostulate  with  God,  if  they  are  predestinated  to  eternal  death  without 
any  demerit  of  their  own,  merely  by  his  sovereign  will.  If  such  thoughts 
ever  enter  the  minds  of  pious  men,  they  will  be  sufficiently  enabled  to 
break  their  violence  by  this  one  consideration,  how  exceedingly  presump- 
tuous is  it  only  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the  Divine  will:  which  is  in 
fact,  and  is  justly  entitled  to  be,  the  cause  of  every  thing  that  exists." 
Page  444. 

* 'Observe  5  all  things  being  at  God's  disposal,  and  the  decision  of 
salvation  or  death  belonging  to  him,  he  orders  all  things  by  his  counsel 
or  decree  in  such  a  manner,  that  some  men  are  born  devoted  from  the 
womb  to  certain  death,  that  his  name  may  be  glorified  in  their  destruc- 
tion." Page  449. 

"The  perplexity  and  hesitation  discovered  at  trifles  by  these  pious 
defenders  of  the  justice  of  God,  and  their  facility  in  overcoming  great 
difficulties,  are  truly  absurd.  I  inquire  again,  how  it  came  to  pass  that 
the  fall  of  Adam,  independent  of  any  remedy,  should  involve  so  many 
nations  with  their  infant  children  in  eternal  death  but  because  such  was  the 
will  of  God."  Page  460. 

"Another  argument  often  urged  to  overthrow  predestination  is,  that  its 
estabhshment  would  destroy  all  solicitude  and  exertion  for  rectitude  of 
conduct.  For  who  can  hear,  say  they,  that  either  life  or  death  is  ap- 
pointed for  him  by  God's  eternal  and  immutable  decree,  without  imme- 
diately concluding  that  it  is  of  no  importance  how  he  conducts  himself; 
since  no  action  of  his  can  in  any  respect  either  impede  or  promote  the 
predestination  of  God?  Thus  all  will  abandon  themselves  to  despair, 
and  run  into  every  excess  to  which  their  hcentious  propensities  may  leu4 
them.  And  truly  this  objection  is  not  altogether  destitute  of  truth;  for 
there  are  many  swine  who  bespatter  the  doctrine  of  predestination  with 
their  impure  blasphemies,  and  with  this  pretext  elude  all  admonitions 
and  reproofs:  God  knows  what  he  has  determined  to  do  with  us:  if  he 
has  decreed  our  salvation,  he  will  bring  us  to  it  in  his  own  time;  if  he  has 
destined  us  to  death,  it  will  be  in  vain  for  us  to  strive  against  it.  But  the 
scripture,  while  it  inculcates  superior  awe,  and  reverence  of  mind  in  the 
consideration  of  so  great  a  mystery,  instructs  the  faithful  in  a  very  difier- 
ent  conclusion,  and  fully  refutes  the  wicked  and  unreasonable  inferences 
of  these  persons."  Page  455. 

"They  carry  their  blasphemies  much  farther,  by  asserting,  that  any 
one  who  is  reprobated  by  God  will  labor  to  no  purpose  if  he  endeavor  to 
approve  himself  to  him  by  innocence  and  integrity  of  life;  but  here  thej 
are  convicted  of  a  most  impudent  falsehood.  For  whence  could  such  ex- 
ertion originate  but  from  election?  Whoever  are  of  the  number  of  the  re- 
probate being  vessels  made  to  dishonor,  cease  hot  to  provoke  the  Divine 
■wrath  against  them  by  continual  transgressions,  and  to  confirm  by  evident 
proofs  the  judgment  of  God  already  denounced  against  them;  so  that 
their  striving  with  him  in  vain  is  what  never  can  happen,"  Page  456. 

"As  the  Lord,  by  his  effectual  calling  of  the  elect,  completes  the  salva- 
tion to  which  he  has  predestinated  them  in  his  eternal  counsel;  so  he  hath 
his  judgments  against  the  reprobates,  by  which  he  executes  his  counsel  re- 
specting them.  Those  therefore,  whom  he  hath  created  to  a  life  of  shame 
and  a  death  of  destruction,  that  they  might  be  instruments  of  his  wrath, 
and  examples  of  his  severity,  he  causes  to  reach  their  appointed  endj 
sometimes  depriving  them  of  the  opportunity  of  hearing  the  word,  some- 
times, by  the  preaching  of  it  increasing  their  blindness  and  stupidity.'* 
Page  476. 

Remarks. — It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  extracts,  that 


or  PRESBYTERIANISM.  207 

whatever  has  or  shall  come  to  pass  in  this  world,  whether  it 
be  good  or  whether  it  be  bad,  proceeds  from  the  divine  will 
entirely,  and  is  irrevocably  fixed  from  all  eternity;  God  hav- 
ing .S'ecre^/3^;??'e^/e/ermz?iefi?  not  only  the  adverse  and  prosper- 
ous fortune  of  every  person  in  this  world,  but  also  his  faith 
and  infidelity,  his  obedience  and  disobedience,  and  conse- 
quently his  everlasting  happiness  or  misery  after  death;  which , 
fate  or  predestination  it  is  not  possible,  by  any  foresight  or 
wisdom,  to  avoid. 

The  principle  involved  in  this  doctrine,  that  is  God's  ab- 
solute decree,  is  directly  at  variance  with  St.  James's  doctrine 
of  faith  and  works,  which,  in  a  qualified  sense  is  predicated 
upon  the  principle  of  merit;  for  there  can  be  no  merit  in  obe- 
dience, nor  demerit  in  disobedience,  where  the  individual  is 
compelled  by  fate  or  predestination,  to  obey  or  disobey;  be- 
sides, this  doctrine  violates  every  attribute  of  the  Deity;  his 
absolute  decree,  deprives  him  of  all  power  to  govern  the  world, 
and  renders  nugatory  his  providence,  his  mercy,  and  his  jus- 
tice. Such  are  the  puerile  doctrines  held  by  most,  if  not  all, 
the  Calvinistic  sections  of  the  christian  church.  It  cannot 
be  necessary  to  enlarge  upon  these  extracts,  to  show  that  Cal- 
vinism when  carried  out,  contains  inherently  all  the  essential 
principles  of  idolatry;  and  that  it  is  every  way  calculated  to 
raise  its  admirers  to  the  very  achme  of  pagan  splendor!  Cal- 
vinism, being  thus  found  both  in  faith  and  practice,  derogatory 
to  the  supremacy  and  spirituality  of  God,  inconsistent  with 
the  divine  nature,  and  at  variance  with  itself;  it  is  impossible 
that  it  could  have  had  a  divine  origin,  and  must,  therefore, 
have  been  a  mere  human  invention,  contrived  by  its  founder 
for  political  purposes,  to  gratify  his  ambition  and  raise  himself 
to  regal  dignity. 

Truly,  the  God  whom  Calvin  worshipped,  was  every  way 
as  different  from  the  God  of  the  Bible,  as  the  Bible  itself  is 
from  the  Koran.  Nay,  the  difference  between  the  two  be- 
ings, is  as  great,  as  that  existing  between  Mohammed  the 
preacher  at  Mecca,  and  Mohammed  the  sovereign  prince  and 
pontiff  of  Medina,  or  Oliver  Cromwell  the  farmer,  and 
Cromwell  the  ^'Lord  Protector."  But  the  difference  betwixt 
Calvin  the  preacher,  and  Cromwell  the  farmer,  was  as  follows: 
The  latter  was  raised  from  the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  to  di- 
rect the  helm  of  state,  agreeably  to  known  laws  and  estab- 
lished customs;  but  the  former  stood  forth  the  vicegerent  of 
God,  armed  with  the  sword  of  persecution  to  enforce  his  high 
and  heaven-daring  commands — he  only  was  the  favorite  of 
heaven,  the  only  dispenser  of  its  justice,  all  the  rest  of  the 


'203  HEXPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

world  were  heretics,  while  the  love  of  God  sharpened  the 
sword  of  persecution  in  his  hands!  The  goodness,  mercy ,, 
and  providence  of  God,  were,  in  his  hands,  made  subservient 
to  the  establishment  of  a  military  despotism,  and  the  wasting 
Upas  of  error  and  falsehood,  was  nurtured  and  raised  to  ma- 
turity by  the  blood  of  the  innocent  men  he  caused  to  be  slain! 

And  certainly,  the  man  who  can  swallow  his  doctrines  and 
conduct,  horns  foremost  or  otherwise,  must  have  the  throat 
of  an  ostrich;  while  the  stomach  that  can  digest  them,  need 
not  dread  to  encounter  iron,  adamant  fish-hooks,  and  glass- 
bottles!  I  could  sooner  believe  all  the  fables  in  the  legend, 
and  the  Talmud,  and  the  Koran,  than  that  the  doctrine  of 
Calvinism  has  any  foundation  in  truth.  I  will  here  add  the 
views  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  a  disinterested  judge  at  leasts 
in  relation  to  the  doctrines,  policy,  and  ambition  of  the  Pres- 
byterians, as  contained  in  the  IV  vol.  of  his  works — page  358o 
In  a  letter  to  Doctor  Cooper,  bearing  date  November  2,  1822, 
Mr.  Jefferson  says:  **Your  favor  of  October  18th,  came  to  hand 
on  yesterday.  The  atmosphere  of  our  country  is  unquestionably 
charged  with  a  threatening  cloud  of  fanaticism,  lighter  in 
8ome  parts,  denser  in  others,  but  too  heavy  in  ail.  I  had  no 
idea,  however,  that  in  Pennsylvania,  the  cradle  of  toleration 
and  freedom  of  religion,  it  could  have  arisen  to  the  height 
you  describe.  This  must  be  owing  to  the  growth  of  Presby- 
terianism.  The  blasphemy  and  absurdity  of  the  five  points 
of  Calvin,  and  the  impossibility  of  defending  them,  render 
their  advocates  impatient  of  reasoning,  irritable,  and  prone 
to  denunciation  of  character.  ^^ 

Mr.  Jeflferson,  in  a  letter  to  old  John  Adams,  dated  April 
11,  1823,  writes  as  follows:  "The  wish  expressed  in  your 
last  favor,  that  I  may  continue  in  life  and  health,  until  I  be- 
come a  Calvinist,  at  least  in 'his  exclamation  of  ^mon  dieu! 
jusqu  a  quandP  [My  God  hpw  long!  is  the  French  signifi- 
cation] would  make  me  immbrtal.  I  can  never  join  Calvin 
in  addressing  his  God.  He  was  indeed  an  atheist,  which  I 
can  never  be;  or  rather  his  religion  was  dxmonism.  If  ever 
man  worshipped  a  false  God,  he  did.  The  being  described 
in  his  five  points,  is  not  the  God  whom  you  and  I  acknowledge 
and  adore,  the  creator  and  benevolent  governor  of  the  world; 
but  a  daemon  of  malignant  spirit.  It  would  be  more  pordan- 
able  to  believe  in  no  God  at  all,  than  to  blaspheme  him  by  the 
atrocious  attributes  of  Calvin. "  In  conclusion,  as  some  o^ 
my  readers  may  not  fully  know  what  is  meant  by  the  '^five 


Of  l?RBSBY'rERIANISM.  209 

points"  of  Calvinism,  I  will  state  them.     The  five  points  of 
Calvinism  are  substantially  the  following: — 

i.   God  decreed  whatsoever  comes  to  pass. 

€.  Unconditional  election  and  reprobation. 

3.  Christ  died  only  for  a  part,  viz.  the  elect. 

4.  Irresistible  grace  to  bring  in  the  elect. 

5.  The  impossibility  of  falling  from  grace. 


CHAPTER  II. 

GENUINE    CALVINISM,    AS  CONTAINED    IN  THE  WESTMINSTER 
CONFESSION    OF  FAITH. 

This  book  contains  all  the  peculiar  and  distinctive  doctrines 
of  Calvinism,  such  as  may  be  found  in  the  constitution  of  the 
Presbyterian  churches   in  the  United  States,    the  Saybrook 
Platform,  the  Assembly's  Catechism,  and  various  other  stand- 
ard writings  of  the  Presbyterians,    Congregationalists,  and 
Baptists.     I  believe  it  is  generally  understood,  that  the  Say- 
brook  Platform  founded  in  the.  year  1708,  contains  the  re^* 
2;iousbelief  of  theCoa"-reo;ationalists.   That  the  Con2;reo;at'      *^' 
af  jchurches  and  clergy  of  New-England,  do  believe  '      '   ,  " 
doctrinal  articles  of  the  Platform,  is  too  evident  to  h  ^  _|     .  J^ 

1st.   From  the  circumstance  of  its  being  adopter*     '/l,    "!®  * 

mentioned  by  the  churches,  and  never  having  '     '^  ^^^ 

since  by  any  public  act  of  the  churches.  -P^^ 

2nd.   From  the  circumstance  that  the  r  .^        , 

-.     r  4-u         1  r    +•        r  -    ^eneral  association 

approvea  of  the  publication  of  anew  e  jj^j^^  „f  j, 

about  30  years  ago.  ' 

.3rd.   From  the  circumstance  tha*   fi^^c^  „^f-  ^        r-  i   ., 
11  r  ^'  •        J  I  ^  those  articles  which  the 

churches  of  tnis  order  may  hav  g   either  in  ma  '  f 

printed  in  a  tract,  do  uniforml-  „  o^„T.^.r  fU^        nuscnp  ,  or 
^-  .  '      z  '    ^^     r    y  convev  the  same  doctrmal 

views  as  are  contained  in  the    ,J]a<-r^».,>.   '  t^u  ^         r  ^ 

,  .      1   .    ^,  .  xlattorm.      1  he  system  of  doc- 

tnnes   contained  in  this  w.^k,  i.,  a  mixture  of  Calvinism. 
Universahsm,  Lnitariam^„,,  Arminianism,  and  Methodism 
And  now  the  Con  essio„  of  j-^jt,^  ^^^^^j^^^  .^        ,      J^; 

tntion  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the  United  States  of 
vTTSr'"-^"'''"^  ^y  "■^'^  S'^'^^'-al  assembly  of  1821,  pub- 
lished 1S24,  co'.uainsthe  doctrines  of  the  Saybrook  Platform 
yrithout  even  the  slightest  alieration,  except  the  quotations 
irom  script  jre  are  more  numerous  and  are  quoted  at  full 
coJfnciAs^;  """  '"^'''''°"  °^^  chapter,  entitled,  "of  synods  and 
s2 


210  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

As  the  Presbyterian  Confession  of  Faith  is  acknowledged 
as  the  standard,  and  as  the  doctrinal  system  it  contains  has  not 
been  abandoned  by  said  church,  I  will  give  extracts  from  the 
same,  that  the  reader  may  know  what  the  doctrines  of  this 
church  are.  The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  the  III 
chapter,  which  is  headed,  "of  God's  eternal  decrees:" 

"1st.  God  from  all  eternity,  did  by  the  most  wise  and  holy  counsel  of 
his  own  will  freely  and  unchang-eably  ordain  whatsoever  comes  to  pass; 
yet  so  as  thereby  neither  is  God  the  author  of  sin,  nor  is  violence  ofiered 
to  the  will  of  the  creatures,  nor  is  the  liberty  or  contingency  of  second 
causes  taken  away,  but  rather  established. 

2d.  Although  God  knows  whatsoever  may  or  can  come  to  pass,  upon 
Jill  supposed  conditions,  yet  hath  he  not  decreed  any  thing,  because  he 
foresaw  it  as  future,  or  as  that  which  would  come  to  pass,  upon  such  con- 
dition. 

3d.  By  the  decree  of  God  for  the  manifestation  of  his  glory,  some  men 
and  angels  are  predestinated  unto  everlasting  life,  and  others  fore-ordained 
to  everlasting  death. 

4th.  These  angels  and  men  thus  predestinated  and  fore-ordained  are 
particularly  and  unchangeably  designed;  and  their  number  is  so  certain 
and  definite  that  it  cannot  be  either  increased  or  diminished. 

.5th.  Those  of  mankind  that  are  predestinated  unto  life,  God,  before 
\  ^^e  foundation  of  the  world  was  laid,  according  to  his  eternal  and  immu- 
*'  1e  purpose,  and  the  secret  council  and  good  pleasure  of  his  will,  hath 
tab.  ^  jj^  Christ,  unto  everlasting  glory,  out  of  his  mere  free  grace  and 
cnost.  ithout  any  foresight  of  faith  or  good  works,  or  perseverance  in 
love,  w  iiem,  or  any  other  thing  in  the  creature  as  conditions,  or  causes 
Cither  01  y      thereunto;  and  all  to  the  praise  of  his  glorious  grace. 

.  .  ^  '  hath  appointed  the  elect  unto  glory,  so  hath  be,  by  the 
Gth.  As  Goa  f^^^^  purpose  of  his  will  fore-ordained  all  the  means  there- 
eternal  and  most .  ^j^^y  ^,j^Q  ^^.g  elected  being  fallen  in  Adam,  are  re- 
r.nto.  Wheretore  .^  effectually  called  unto  fiiith  in  Christ  by  his  spirit 
deemed  by  Christ,  ai^  ^^^  justified,  adopted,  sanctified  and  kept  by  his 
workmg  m  due  seaso  ,  ^  ^  salvation.  Netthkr  are  any  otheb  hedbemei* 
power  througi  Jaith  unw.  justified,  adopted,  sanctified  and  saved  but 

RT  cHuisT,  effectually  callfc.   'J  »        f 

t5ie  elect  only.  \  ^    i  i         i  j-        *     i^t. 

.  ,      ,         i-„.i      God   was  pleased,  according  to  the  un- 

7th.  The  rest  o^."?^"^^"^'    ..V.  whereby  he  extendeth  or  withholdeth 

searchable  counsel  of  ^^^  own  wil^   ^^  ^^.^  sovereign  power  over  his  crea- 

inercv  as  he  Pj^^^^t>/^^'J^^,?i°^.V      dishonor  and  wrath  for  their  sin,  to 
lures  to  pass  by,  and  to  ordain  them  tt 
the  praise  of  his  glorious  justice. 

That  the  doctrine  taught  in  Calvin-^s  Institutes,  in  reference 

to  the  doctrine  of  election  and  reprot^ation,   is  substantially 

hat  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  is  obvious  from  the  foregoing 

extracts.     All  we  ask  of  Presbyterian  pre^rhers  is,  to  s  a  e 

"octrt.es  as  they  really  are      That  thej  ^do  not  state 

Tern  so  plainly  as  Calvin  or  the  Confession  ot  Fait^i  does,  I 

ave  already  shewn,  and  hope  to  make  still  more  My  mani- 
fV^t      The  following  extracts,  taken  from  this  sam^e  Confes- 


or   PHESBTTERIANISM.  211 

^lon  of  Faith,  and  headed  <<of  effectual  calling,"  are  from 
chapter  10: 

"1st.  All  those  whom  God  hath  predestinated  unto  life,  and  those 
oxLT  he  is  pleased,  in  his  appointed  and  accepted  time,  effectually  to  call 
by  his  word  and  spirit,  out  of  that  state  of  sin  and  death,  in  which  they 
are  by  nature,  to  grace  and  salvation  by  Jesus  Christ;  enlightening  their 
minds  spiritually  and  savingly,  to  understand  the  things  of  God — taku)g 
away  their  heart  of  stone,  and  giving  unto  them  an  heart  of  flesh;  renewing 
tlieir  wills,  and  by  his  Almighty  power  determining  them  to  that  which  is 
good;  and  effectually  drawing  them  to  Jesus  Christ;  yet  as  they  come  most 
freely,  being  made  willing  by  his  grace. 

2d.  This  effectual  call  is  of  God's  free  and  special  grace  alone,  not 
from  any  thing  at  all  foreseen  in  man,  who  is  altogether  passive  therein, 
until,  being  quickened  and  renewed  by  the  holy  Spirit,  he  is  thereby 
enabled  to  answer  this  call,  and  to  embrace  the  grace  offered  and  convey- 
ed in  it. 

3d.  Elect  infants  dying  in  infancy,  are  regenerated  and  saved  by  Christ 
thfough  the  Spirit,  who  worketh,  when,  and  where,  and  how  he  pleaseth. 
So  also  are  all  other  elect  persons,  who  are  incapable  of  being  outwardlr 
called  by  the  ministry  of  the  word. 

4th.  Others  not  elected  although  they  may  be  called  by  the  ministry  of 
the  word,  and  may  have  some  common  operations  of  the*  Spirit,  yet  they 
never  truly  come  to  Christ,  and  therefore  cannot  be  saved;  much  less  caii 
men,  not  professing  the  christian  religion,  be  saved  in  any  other  way  what- 
soever, be  they  never  so  diligent  to  frame  their  lives  according  to  the  light 
of  nature,  and  the  law  of  that  religion  they  do  profess;  and  to  assert  and 
maintain  that  they  may,  is  very  perniciousj  and  to  be  detested." 

Remarks. — The  Presbyterian  Confession,  of  Faith,  it  will 
be  seen,  teaches  that  God  eternally  and  unchangeably  ordain- 
ed all  the  murders,  profaneness,  lying,  drunkenness,  whor- 
ing, cheating,  stealing,  &c.  which  ever  did  or  ever  will  come 
to  pass!  Surely  he  must  have  ordained  all  these  things  if  he 
ordained  whatsoever  comes  to  pass,  for  all  these  things  come 
to  pass.  But  it  will  be  said,  as  it  repeatedly  has  been  said, 
that  this  is  misrepresenting  their  doctrines.  Is  it  not  strange 
that  they  should  complain  of  injustice  and  misrepresentation, 
when  we  appeal  to  their  Confession  of  Faith  and  other  stand- 
ards as  expressive  of  their  views?  As  to  the  complaint  of  m- 
jusfice,  I  cannot  understand  it!  Is  it  unjust  to  appeal  to  arti- 
cles of  religion  which  have  been  agreed  upon  and  adopted  by 
a  church,  when  we  wish  to  ascertain  what  are  the  sentiments 
of  that  church?  As  to  77iisrepresentatiotiy  lam  perfectly  as- 
tonished at  this  complaint!  I  say  that  those  who  believe  that 
God  decreed  whatsoever  comes  to  pass,  must  believe  that  he 
decreed  that  sinners  should  choose  to  sin,  for  this  comes  to 
pass, — that  Adam  should  eat  the  forbidden  fruit,  for  this  came 
to  pass — that  Cain  should  kill  Abel,  for  this  came  to  pass — 
that  David  should  murder  a  man  and  steal  a  sheep,  for  thii 


212  HELPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

came  to  pass — that  Judas  should  steal  money  and  betray  his 
Lord,  for  this  came  to  pass;  that  the  Jews  should  falsely  accuse 
andshamefully  murder  Christ,  for  this  came  to  pass;  that  some 
men  in  this  life  should  rob  hen-roosts,  for  this  comes  to  pass 
— that  most  of  the  Presbyterian  clergy  believe  one  thing  and 
preach  another,  for  this  comes  to  pass — that  the  Methodist 
clergy  should  take  exceptions  to  their  course  and  expose  them, 
for  this  comes  to  pass — and  so  of  all  other  things  which  come 
to  pass,  for  the  simple  reason  that  they  do  come  pass.  I  think 
this  a  fair  and  unavoidable  inference,  and  no  misrepresenta- 
tion whatever.  I  say  if  God  elected  a  certain  number  which 
cannot  be  diminished,  those  who  are  of  this  number,  will  be 
saved,  do  what  they  may.  And  those  who  are  not  of  this 
number,  but  of  those  whom  God  eternally  passed  by  and  or- 
dained to  dishonor  and  wrath,  in  his  alleged  fury  and  ven- 
geance, for  whom  Christ  did  notdie,  and  \v\\o  ^yq, note ffeciii- 
ally  called,  will  not  be  saved  do  what  they  may.  I  do  not 
consider  this  a  misrepresentation,  but  a  fair  and  legitimate  con- 
clusion. If  this  view  of  the  Calvinian  system:  be  a  correct 
one,  is  it  not  strange  that  those  who  believe  that  the  number 
of  the  elect^'cannot  be  increased,''  should  nevertheless  ap^ 
pear  so  anxious  to  send  missionaries  among  the  heathen  and 
elsev^here?  What  good  can  missionaries  do,  if  this  doctrine 
be  true?  They  cannot  increase  the  number  of  the  elect, 
nor  can  they  dimimsh  the  number  of  the  reprobates,  nor  can 
the  Devil  himself,  with  all  his  arts  diminish  the  number  of 
the  elect,  for  it  ^'cannot  be  diyninished,^^  Of  what  service 
then  can  missionaries  be,  if  the  destinies  of  all  men  are  al- 
ready unchangeably  fixed  in  heaven  or  hell?  And  what  good 
will  preaching  do  here  at  home?  Reader,  think  of  these 
things;  and  if  your  eyes  have  not  been  blinded  by  the  dust  of 
prejudice,  you  will  soon  see  things  in  a  different  light. 

As  we  have  no  religious  test  in  this  country,  every  man  has 
a  perfect  right  to  adopt  such  views  of  the  plan  of  salvation  as 
he  may  choose,  and  certainly  we  have  no  objection  to  people 
thinking  and  choosing  for  themselves;  but  it  does  not  com- 
port with  honesty,  much  less  with  ministerial  integrity, 
to  dissemble  with  the  public,  and  by  artifice  and  clerical  trick- 
ery, conceal  our  real  sentiments,  professing  one  thing  while 
we  industriously  circulate  another,  or  believing  one  thing  and 
presching  another.  Truth  needs  no  such  manoeuvres  to  sus- 
tain it.  In  this  respect,  there  is  but  too  striking  a  resem- 
blance between  the  conduct  of  the  Presbyterian  clergy,  and 
the  game  ^sop's  bat  played  off  upon  the  birds  and  tlie  beasts! 
—It  is  becoming  "all  things  to  pill  rijen.'^ 


or   PRESBYTERIAN  ISM.  dlS 


CHAPTER  III. 

CALVINISM,    AS   CONTAINED   IN   THE    LARGER    AND    SHORTER 
CATECHISMS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

Besides  the  extracts  already  made,  I  could  conveniently 
add,  any  number  of  like  tenor  and  import,  frora  Calvinistic 
writers  from  the  days  of  John  Calvin  to  the  present  time. 
But  more  need  not  be  given  to  lead  the  reader  to  a  correct  un- 
derstanding and  statement  of  the  odious  doctrine  oi  absolute 
unconditional  predestination;  which,  as  I  have  shewn,  in- 
cludes all  events  from  the  beginning  of  time,  and  a  particular 
personal  predestination  to  everlasting  life,  and  a  particular 
personal  predestination  to  everlasting  death.  However, 
lest  it  should  be  said,  that  there  are  no  more  such  doctrines, 
extant,  I  must  be  permitted  to  add  a  few  inglorious  para- 
graphs from  the  larger  and  shorter  catechisms  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.     The  following  are  the  extracts: 

Q.   "67.   What  is  effectual  calling? 

A.  Effectual  calling:  is  the  work  of  God's  almighty  power  and  grace, 
whereby  (out  of  his  free  and  especial  love  to  his  electa  and  from  nothing 
in  them  moving  him  thereunto)  he  doth  in  his  accepted  time  invite  and 
draw  them  to  Jesus  Christ,  by  his  word  and  Spirit:  savingly  enlightening 
their  minds,  renewing-  and  powerfully  determining  their  wills,  so  as  they 
(although  in  themselves  dead  in  sin)  are  hereby  made  willing  and  able, 
freely  to  answer  his  call,  and  to  accept  and  embrace  the  grace  offered 
and  conveyed  thei-ein."    Larger  Catechism.  < 

Q.   68.   *'Are  the  elect  only  effectually  called? 

A.  All  the  elect,  and  thei/  only  are  effectually  called;  although  others 
mav  be  and  often  are  outwardly  called  by  the  ministry  of  the  word,  and 
i  have  some  common  operations  of  the  Spirit,  who  for  their  wilful  neglect 
,  and  contempt  of  the  grace  offered  to  them,  being  justly  left  in  their  unbe- 
lief, do  never  truly  come  to  Jesus  Christ."  lb. 

Q.  13.  "What  hath  God  especially  decreed  concerning  angels  and 
men?* 

A.  God,  by  an  eternal  and  immutable  decree,  out  of  his  mere  love,  fer- 
tile praise  of  his  glorious  grace,  to  be  manifested  in  due  time,  hath  elected 
some  angels  to  glory;  and  in  Christ,  hath  chosen  some  men  to  eternal  life, 
and  the  means  thereof;  and  also,  according  to  his  sovereign  power,  and  the 
unsearchable  counsel  of  his  own  will  haXh  passed  by.  and  fore-ordained  the 
jrest  to  dishonor  and  wrath,  to  be  for  their  sin  inflicted,  to  the  praise  of  the 
iglory  of  his  justice."  lb. 

Q.  31.   "With  whom  was  the  covenant  of  grace  made!* 

A.  The  covenant  of  grace  was  made  with  Christ  as  the  second  Adam, 

land  in  him  with  all  the  elect  as  his  seed."  Jb. 

Q.  59.   "Who  are  made  partakers  of  redemption  through  Christ^ 

A.  Redemption  is  applied  and  effectually  communicated,  to  all  those 

for  whom  Christ  hath  purchased  it;  who  are  in  time  by  the  Holy  Ghost  en- 
bled  to  believe  in  Christ  according  to  the  gospel. "  fb. 


214  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

Q.  20.  *'Dld  God  leave  all  mankind  to  perish  in  the  estate  of  sin  and 
misery^ 

A.  God»  having"  out  of  his  mere  good  pleasure,  from  all  eternitVy 
elected  some  to  everlasting"  life,  did  enter  into  a  covenant  of  grace,  to  de- 
liver them  out  of  the  estate  of  sin  and  misery,  and  to  bring  them  into  an 
estate  of  salvation  by  a  Redeemer."  Shorter  Catechism. 

Q.  21.   "Who  is  the  Redeemer  of  God's  elect? 

A.  The  only  Redeemer  of  God's  elect  is  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  Ib^ 

Remarks. — As  obnoxious  in  their  nature,  and  ruinous  in 
their  tendency,  as  are  the  doctrines  of  these  catechisms,  all 
parents  who  have  their  children  baptized  by  Presbyterian 
ministers,  are  required  to  teach  them  to  the  poor  little  inno- 
cent creatures!  What!  teach  little  children  a  lie,  and  to 
cherish  and  believe  a  lie!  What!  teach  a  child  that  by  the 
decree  of  election,  a  certain  and  definite  portion  of  mankind 
are  particularly  predestinated  to  life — that  this  election  is  un- 
conditional, without  ^'any  foresight  of  faith  or  good  works, 
or  perseverance  or  any  other  thing" — that  by  the  decree  of  re- 
probation a  certain  and  definite  portion  of  mankind  are  par- 
ticularly predestinated  to  dishonor  and  wrath — and  that  this 
predestination  is  for  the  praise  of  God's  most  glorious  justice! 
Reader,  sooner  teach  your  child  that  there  is  no  God  at  all, 
than  that  there  is  such  an  atrocious  God  in  existence,  as  the 
one  described  in  these  catechisms. 

Once  more:  As  false  and  unscriptural  as  are  the  above  quo- 
tations, and  also,  all  those  quotations  from  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  every  ordained  minister  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
is  nevertheless  solemnly  sworn,  before  God  and  the  members 
of  Presbytery,  to  both  believe  and  preach  them.  By  this 
solemn  oath,  I  mean  their  oath  of  ordination:  and  this  oath  is 
as  binding,  if  not  more  so,  as  any  ever  administered  in  a  court 
of  justice.  But  to  the  law  and  to  the  testimony.  In  the 
<^Form  of  Government,"  chapter  XV,  page  378,  it  is  stated 
that  ^*when  the  day  appointed  for  ordination  is  come," 
among  other  questions  proposed  to  the  candidate  for  orders^ 
are  the  following: — 

*^Do  you  sincerely  receive  and  adopt  the  Confession  of 
Faith  of  this  church,  as  containing  the  system  of  doctrine 
taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures? 

Bo  you  approve  of  the  government  and  discipline  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  (which  require  the  zealous  and  faithful 
maintainance  of  its  doctrines)  in  these  United  States? 

Do  you  promise  subjection  to  your  brethren  in  the  Lord?" 

When  a  Methodist  preacher  receives  elders'  orders,  he  is 
asked  the  following  question  among  others^  in  the  presence 


i 


OF  PRESBTTEHIANISM.  215 

©f  God  and  the  whole  congregation,  by  the  bishop  who  or- 
dains him: 

"Will  you  be  ready  with  all  faithful  diligence,  to  banish 
and  drive  away  all  erroneous  and  strange  doctrines  contrary 
to  God's  word?'' 

Neither  a  Methodist  nor  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  has 
answered  the  above  questions  at  his  ordination,  can,  without 
an  obvious  dereliction  of  duty — alias  false  swearing,  preach 
any  other  doctrine  than  that  which  is  contained  in  the  articles 
of  his  own  ehurch,  nor  administer  any  other  discipline  than 
that  which  is  recognized  in  the  government  of  that  church. 
For  my  own  part,  I  have  ever  felt  conscientious  in  this  matter. 
I  have  been  accustomed  to  preach  controversy,  or  "with  all 
faithful  diligence,  to  banish  and  drive  away  all  erroneous  and 
strange  doctrines;"  and  I  never  expect  to  preach  a  sermon 
while  I  live,  wholly  free  from  controversy.  I  have  too  much 
regard  for  my  ordination  oath,  ever  to  cease  opposing  error. 
And  I  confess,  I  think  very  little  of  a  Methodist  preacher, 
who,  for  the  sake  of  popiUarity,  or  promotion  in  some  way, 
will  either  publicly  or  privately  rail  out  against  controversy, 
and  plead  up  for  union.  And  when  an  Ordained  M(i{\\o^h\. 
preacher  advances  any  doctrine  contrary  to  the  known  and 
established  doctrines  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  I 
unhesitatingly  affirm,  he  is  guilty  of  false  swearing.  So, 
when  an  ordained  Presbyterian  preacher  advances  any  other 
doctrine  than  that  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  the  other 
standard  wriHngs  of  his  church,  I  say  he  is  guilty  of  false 
swearing.  That  most  of  the  Presbyterian  ministers  in  Ten- 
nessee, are  guilty  of  this  species  ot perjury,  will  not  be 
doubted  by  any  who  have  heard  them  preach,  and  since  read 
and  examined  the  foregoing  extracts.  But  it  is  time  to  bring 
this  chapter  to  a  close.  If  it  has  been  lengthened  out  beyond 
what  either  my  friends  or  enemies  have  desired,  they  will  find 
an  apology  in  the  goodness  of  the  cause. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

MOPKINSIAN  CALVINISM,  AS  CONTAINED  IN  DOCTOR  HOPElNs's 
SERMONS,  AND  SYSTEM  OF  DIVINITY. 

Could  the  writer,  whose  name  is  placed  at  the  head  of  this 
chapter,  reconcile  his  theory,  which  he  supposes  proclaims 
the  unwillingness  of  God  to  save  every  sinner  in  the  uni- 


H6  ME11?S  To  THE   STtJDY 

Verse,  with  that  part  of  his  doctrine  which  declares  the  et^ 
istence  of  an  eternal  decree  which  fixes,  unchangeably,  a  de- 
finite portion  of  the  human  family  to  an  eternal  hell,  I  would 
then  hail  him,  and  shake  hands  with  him,  in  the  open  field  oi 
gospel  grace,  which  contains 

* 'Enough  for  all,  enough  for  each 

Enough  for  evermore." 

But  while  he  remains  contented,  among  the  rocks  and  shoals 

of  Calvinistic  decrees,  or  of  Hopkinsian  inabilities,  I  for  one, 

can  never  give  him  the  right  hand  of  doctrinal  fellowship^ 

The  founder  of  the  Hopkinsian  system,  was  the  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Hopkins,  D.  D.  an  eminent  American  divine,  who  flour- 
iehed  about  a  half  a  century  ago,  and  who,  in  his  sermons  and 
other  writings,  has  made  several  additions  to  the  sentiments 
first  advanced  by  the  celebrated  Jonathan  Edwards^  late 
president  of  New  Jersey  College. 

The  Hopkinsians  warmly  contend  for  the  doetrine  of  de- 
crees, of  particular  election,  total  deprsvitv,  the  final  uncon- 
ditional perseverance  of  the  saints,  &c. ;  and  therefore,  claim 
it  as  their  just  due,  to  use  the  language  of  Buck,  <'since  the 
world  will  make  distinctions,  to  be  called  Hopkinsian  Cat- 
innists,  ^'  For  a  more  enlarged  view  oi  this  system,  I  would 
c-ke  Adams's  View  of  all  Religions,  Hopkins  on  Holiness^ 
Edwards  on  the  Will,  Wests'' $  Essay  on  Moral  Agency^ 
and  Springes  Nature  of  Deity. 

And  when  the  foregoing  Works  are  examined,  they  will 
be  found  to  agree,  at  Ipast  in  every  material  respect,  with 
Calvin's  Institutes,  Gill's  Cause  of  Truth,  Fuller's  Cal- 
vinistic System,  Toplady's  Works,  and  the  Assembly^^ 
Catechism. 

Old  fashioned  Calvinists,  however,  have  demurred  against 
several  of  the  leading  points  of  doctrine  in  Hopkins's  system, 
and  a  long  and  warm  controversy  was  occasioned  by  them  in 
1810.  Those  who  feel  interested  in  the  controversy,  may 
be  fully  gratified  by  examining  Dr.  Ely's  ^^contrast  between 
Calvinism  and  Hopkinsianism.''  In  bringing  to  view  the 
opinions  of  this  man  Hopkins,  I  will  commence  with  ex- 
tracts from  a  volume  of  his  sermons,  in  which  the  reader  will 
perceive,  he  represents  God  as  the  efficient  cause  of  sin.  The 
following  brief  extracts  will  be  sufficient: 

**Every  thing  which  is  properly  an  effect,  has  its  foundation  in  the  pur- 
pose or  decree  of  God,  as  its  original  cause,  without  which  it  could  riot 
take  place.  And  every  such  effect  is  fixed  and  made  sure  of  existence 
by  the  Divine  decree,  and  infallibly  connected  with  it." — Hopkins's  Ser- 
nums,  vol.  \  p.  85,      " 


OF  PRESBTTERIANISM.  217 

**The  decrees  of  God  are  unchang-eable;  they  are  fixed  from  eternity, 
and  cannot  be  altered,  in  any  degree,  or  with  respect  to  any  thing-,  event 
or  circumstance."     lb'  vol.  1,  p.  86. 

*'For  the  fiiturition  or  futurity  of  all  things  depends  upon  the  decrees 
of  God;  and  by  these  every  created  existence  and  every  event,  with  all 
their  circumstances,  are  fixed  and  made  certain,  and  in  consequence  of 
their  being-  decreed,  the}^  are  the  objects  of  foreknowledge,  for  they 
could  not  be  known  to  be  future,  imless  they  were  so,  and  they  were 
made  so  by  the  Divine  decree,  and  nothing  else."     lb.  vol.  1  p.  88. 

"God  has  foreordained  whatsoever  comes  to  pass,  and  with  his  hand  is 
executing  his  own  wise  purposes,  in  his  governing  providence,  ordering 
and  directing  all  the  actions  of  men,  even  the  most  sinful  sls  well  as  others, 
for  his  own  glory  and  the  general  good,  and  his  hand  is  to  be  seen  in  ev- 
ery event  a;id  in  every  action  of  man  as  really  as  if  he  was  the  only 
agent  in  the  universe.     lb.  vol.  I, p.  142. 

**God  has  foreordained  all  the  moral  evil  that  does  take  place;  and  is  in 
such  a  sense  and  so  far  the  origin  and  cause  of  it,  tliat  He  is  said  to  bring 
it  to  pass  by  his  own  agency.     Jb.  vol.  I,  p.  161. 

I  will  now  direct  the  reader's  attention  to  the  Doctors  sy.«?- 
tem  of  divinity,  now  lying  before  me.  The  Doctor  spends 
about  ninety  octavo  pages  of  the  first  volume,  in  speaking  of 
the  divinity  of  the  scriptures,  the  attributes  of  God,  the  trin- 
ity of  persons  in  the  God-head,  &c.  He  next  enters  on  the 
*  "DECREES  of  God,"  and  spends  upwards  of  one  hundred 
pages  in  trying  to  prove  that  God  is  the  07\qin  and  cause  of 
all  events,  both  good  dJi^S.  evil,  that  ever  did,  or  ever  will  take 
place ! 

To  notice  all  the  Doctor  has  said,  would  not  only  be  un-  * 
profitable  to  my  readers,  but  likewise  incompatible  with  the 
brevity  of  my  design;  I  shall  therefore,  only  notice  the  most 
prominent  points.  In  order  to  bring  the  Doctor  and  his  ten- 
ets fully  before  the  reader,  I  shall  give  the  following  quota- 
tions from  the  first  volume,  which  are  introduced  after  some 
preliminary  remarks: — 

"Indeed,  every  thing  which  is  properly  an  effect,  has  its  foundation  in 
the  purpose  or  decree  of  God,  as  its  original  cause,  witliout  which  it 
could  not  have  taken  place.  And  every  such  effect  is  fixed  and  made 
sure  of  existence  by  the  divine  decrees  and  infallibly   connected  with  it. 

"The  assembly  of  divines,  in  their  short  catechisms,  hj^ve  given  a  con- 
cise description  of  the  decree  of  God,  which  is  both  rational  and  agreea- 
ble to  the  holy  scriptures;  viz:  The  decrees  of  God  are  his  eternal  pur- 
pose, according  to  the  counsel  of  his  own  will  whereby  for  his  own  glory 
he  hath  foreordained  wliatsoever  comes  to  pass."     page  8i.  ,,, 

Again,  page  85  he  says,  "If  God's  knowing  all  his  works  from  etisrnity 
does  not  mean  his  purpose  concerning  them,  it  necessarily  implies  this; 
for  how  could  he  know  what  he  would  do  if  he  had  no  will  or  purpose 
to  do'" 

He  goes  on  to  say,  "It  may  be  of  some  importance  to  observe  here,  that 
there  is  a  distinction  and  difference  between  the  decree  of  God,   and  his 
foreknowledge,    as  the  words  are   commonly  used.     Divine  foreknovvl- 
T 


518  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

edge  is  God's  foreseeing  future  existence  and  events,  and  knowing  from 
eternity  what  would  take  place  in  all  futurity,  to  eternity,  or  without  end. 
This  foreknowledge  is  not  only  to  be  distinguished  from  the  decree,  but 
must  be  considered  as  in  order  of  nature,  consequent  upon  the  determin- 
ation and  purpose  of  God,  and  dependent  upon  it."     page  85. 

*'Nothing  can  be  the  object  of  the  divine  foreknowledge,  which  is  not 
jixtd  as  certainly  future."     page  95. 

From  the  foregoing  extracts,  the  reader  will  perceive  that 
the  Doctor  infers  the  necessity  of  events  from  their  certain- 
ty, and  the  decrees  of  God,  from  his  foreknowledge,  than 
which  nothing  can  be  more  preposterous.  Indeed,  the  fore- 
knowledge and  decrees  of  God,  is  the  basis  of  his  whole  sys- 
tem. There  is  not  a  more  intricate  point  in  polemic  divinity 
than  this.  And  really,  if  Hopkins^s  views  of  this  sub- 
ject be  correct,  God's  foreknowledge  is  by  no  means  perfect. 
For  an  event  may  as  certainly  take  place  by  the  agency  of 
man,  as  it  could  by  divine  agency,  and,  if  God's  knowledge 
hQ  pe7fect,  he  can  as  certainly  see  it. 

The  Doctor  having,  as  he  supposed,  established  the  cor- 
rectness of  his  position,  in  relation  to  God's  eternal  decrees^ 
proceeds  to  speak  of  their  end,  iathe  following  manner: — 

"As  the  decrees  of  God  are  most  wise,  this  necessarily  supposes  some 
end  in  view,  and  that  which  is  best,  the  most  excellent,  important,  and 
desirable  that  can  be:  for  wisdom  consists  in  proposing  and  pursuing 
such  an  end,  in  ways  and  by  means  in  the  best  manner  adapted  to  accom- 
plish that  end."  page  89. 
Again  5 

"If  it  be  inquired,  what  that  best,  most  important,  and  desirable  end 
can  be,  which  can  be  proposed  by  infinite  wisdom?  The  answer  must  be, 
that  God  himself,  or  that  which  respects  him,  is  the  end  of  his  decrees  and 
works."     page  90. 

**God  makes  himself  his  end,  in  his  decrees  and  works,  in  being  pleas- 
ed with  the  exercise  and  expression,  exhibition  and  display  of  his  own  in- 
finite perfection  and  excellence."     Page  81. "This  exhibition  and 

display  of  the  divine  perfections,  necessarily  implies,  and  involves,  as  es- 
sential to  it,  the  communication  of  his  own  holiness,  and  happhiess  to  the 
greatest  possible  degree;  which  consists  in  effecting  or  producing  the 
greatest  possible  moral  excellence  and  felicity  in  his  creation,  or  by  his 
works.  This  consists  in  the  highest  possible  good  or  happiness  in  crea- 
tures, whose  capacities,  circumstances,  and  their  number,  and  all  other 
things,  circumstances  and  events  are  contrived  and  adapted  in  the  best 
manner  to  answer  this  end."  lb. 
Once  more; 

"If  he  be  pleased  with  the  greatest  possible  exercise,  communication, 
And  exhibition  of  his  goodness,  he  must  be  pleased  with  the  happiness  of 
creatures,  and  the  greatest  possible  happiness  of  the  creation,  because 
the  former  so  involves  the  latter,  that  they  cannot  be  separated;  and  may 
be  considered  as  one  and  the  same  thing."     Page  91-2. 

Having  so  freely  animadverted  on  the  Doctor's  notions  of 


OF  presbyterianism;  219 

eternal  decrees  and  foreknowledge,  I  shall  close  my  extracts, 
by  bringing  forward  the  three  following  sentences: — 

(Tlr  "GOD  WAS  THE  AUTHOR,  ORIGIN,  AND  POSITIVE  CAUSE 
OF  ADAM'S  SIN,  THIS  CAN  BE  PROVED,  AND  MAY  BE  ASSERT- 
ED, AS  A  MOST  EVIDENT  TRUTH.  BUT  IN  CAUSING  OR  ORI- 
GINATING SIN,  THERE  IS  NO  SIN."  J^ 

0:J>«GOD  MOVES,  EXCITES,  AND  STIRS  UP  MEN  TO  DO 
THAT  WHICH  IS  SINFUL;  AND  DECEIVES,  BLINDS,  HARDENS, 
AND  PUTS  SIN  INTO  THE  HEART,  BY  A  POSITIVE  CREATIVE 
INFLUENCE."  J^ 

(TjT  *«THUS  DOES  GOD  FORM  THE  CHARACTER  OF  THOSE 
WHO  WERE  PROM  ETERNITY  PREDESTINATED  TO  DA  MNA- 
TION;  AND  THUS  BY  HIS  PROVIDENCE  HE  EXECUTES  HIS 
DECREE  OF  REPROBATION."  ^ 

As  some  of  my  readers  may  desire  to  know  more  fully, 
what  is  the  doctrinal  system  held  by  the  Hopldnsians,  I  will 
herewith  submit  a  brief  summary  of  the  whole,  as  set  forth 
in  Watson's  Biblical  and  Theological  Dictionary,  published 
for  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  at  the  Conference  Office 
in  New  York;  a  work  too,  which  has  been  compiled  from  the 
best  sources  ancient  and  modern,  and  which  is  superior  to 
any  dictionary  of  the  kind  in  existence.  But  it  is  not  ne- 
ijessary  for  me  to  say  any  thing  in  commendation  of  this 
work. 

The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  distinguishing  tenets  of 
the  Hopkinsians: — 

1.  That  all  true  virtue  or  real  holiness  consists  in  disinter- 
ested benevolence.  2.  That  all  sin  consists  in  selfishness. 
2.  That  there  are  no  promises  of  regenerating  grace  made  to  the 
actions  of  the  unregenerate.  4.  That  the  impotency  of  sin- 
ners, with  regard  to  believing  in  Christ,  is  not  natural  but 
Tnoral.  5.  That  in  order  to  faith  in  Christ,  a  sinner  must 
approve  in  his  heart  of  the  divine  conduct,  even  though  God 
should  cast  him  off  forever.  6.  That  the  infinitely  and  ho- 
ly God  has  exerted  his  omnipotent  power,  in  such  a  way  as 
he  purposed  should  be  followed  with  the  existence  and  en- 
trance of  moral  evil  in  the  system.  7.  That  the  intro- 
duction of  SIN  is,  upon  the  whole,  for  \hQ  general  good.  8. 
That  repentance  is  before  faith  in  Christ.  9.  That  Adam's 
^ct,  in  eating  the  forbidden  fruit,  was  not  the  cause,  but  on- 
ly  the  occasion  of  his  posterity  being  sinners.  10.  That 
though  believers  are  justified  through  Christ's  righteousness, 
yet  his  righteousness  is  not  directly  transferred  to  them.  11. 
That  men  are  totally  depraved  until  regeneration.     12.  The 


220  •     HELPS    TO  THE    STUDY 

Hopkinskns  warmly  advocate   the  doctrine  of  eternal  de- 
crees, and  of  particular  election  and  reprobation. 

Remarks. — Upon  the  whole,  I  may  say,  that  Dr.  Hop- 
kins' theory  appears  to  be  an  attempt  to  unite  some  points  of 
mystic  theology  with  the  system  of  Calvinism  commonly  re- 
ceived, and  that  where  it  differs  from  the  latter,  it  obviates  no 
difficulty  whatever.  Finally,  the  doctrine  of  Hopkinsian 
Calvinism,  makes  God  the  author  of  sin.  2.  It  destroys  the 
free  agency,  and  of  course  the  accountabih'ty  of  man.  3.  It 
arrays  God's  secret  decrees  against  his  written  word.  4.  In 
close  connexion  with  the  foregoing  objection,  it  may  be  add- 
ed, that  this  doctrine  mars,  if  it  does  not  destroy,  the  moral 
attributes  of  God.  5.  It  puts  a  plea  into  the  mouth  of  sin- 
ners to  justify  themselves  in  their  sins,  and  leads  to  Univer- 
salism  and  infidelity.  6.  The  evils  done  to  the  church  be- 
cause of  the  belief,  and  consequent  influence  of  this  doctrine, 
are  incalculable. 

A  Hopkinsian  believes  that  the  elect  will  certainly  be 
saved,  and  go  hnmediately  to  heaven  when  they  die, — and 
every  believer  in  Calvinism  thinks  himself,  to  be  one  of  the 
elect.  Now,  a  Calvinistic  priest,  in  whom  a  gentleman  in 
New-Jersey,  a  few  years  ago,  put  confidence  to  write  his  will, 
and  who  was  to  receive  a  legacy  out  of  the  gentleman's  estate, 
wrote  eleven  hundred  dollars,  instead  of  one  hundred!!! 
Also,  a  Calvinistic  lawyer,  who  was  himself  to  receive  a 
legacy  from  this  same  man's  estate,  was  afterwards  found  to 
have  been  conniving  and  assisting  his  brother  preacher  in  this 
work.  Well,  when  the  man  was  dead,  and  the  will  produced, 
it  being  so  differently  written  from  what  the  testator  had  ever 
talked  of  among  his  friends,  and  apprehending  that  the  fraud 
was  coming  to  light — this  Calvinistic  priest  (one  of  the  elect 
of  God,  in  his  own  estimation,  being  strong  in  the  faith) 
committed  suicide,  thereby  exchanging  an  earthly  for  a  hea- 
venly inheritance!  And  the  lawyer  too,  being  of  the  same 
faith  and  hearing  what  his  minister  had  done,  followed  his 
example!  This  is  getting  out  of  a  scrape  Calvinistic  ally. 
And  this  is  what  Calvinism  leads  to.  And  what  is  to  prevent 
any  Calvinist,  strong  in  the  faith,  from  giving  glory  to  God 
in  this  way? 


I 


OF  PRESBTTEKIANISM.  221 


CHAPTER  V. 

HOPKINSIAN  CALVINISM,  AS  SET  FORTH  IN  A  WORK  CALLED 
THE  "seven  CONVERSATIONS  BETWEEN  ATHANASIUS  AND 
DOCILIS,   ON  THEOLOGICAL  SUBJECTS." 

The  work  bearing  the  above  title,  was  written  by  His  Ho- 
liness, the  Right  Reverend  Isaac  Anderson;  and,  to  use  his 
own  words,  has,  because  of  ^'the  calls  for-  a  second  edition,'^ 
having  been  "so  numerous,  and  from  sources  so  respectable," 
been  presented  to  the  public  a  second  time.     Soon  after  the 
first  edition  of  these  Conversations  had  made  its  appearance, 
which  was  in  1S21,  it  was  answered  at   length,  and  in  a  mas- 
terly manner,  by  the  Rev.   Robert  Paine  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,'  in  a  pamphlet  entitled  *^Seven  Conversa- 
tions  between   Quero    and    ^dthanasius.^^       Mr.  Paine's 
pamphlet,  every  candid  reader  will  acknowledge,  is  a  com- 
plete refutation  of  the  views  and  sentiments  oi  Athanasius, 
But  still,  Athanasius^  in  his  preface  to  the  scond  edition  of 
this  mighty  work,  assigns  as  a  ''rational''^  reason  for  not 
noticing  Mr.  P's  publication,  that  ^^the  patrons  of  this  second 
edition,    think  the  cause  of  truth  does  not  demand  that   it 
should  be  noticed."     Indeed!     This  is  in  perfect  accordance 
with  the  manner   in    which  Calvinistic  writers  answer  the 
arguments  of  their   Arminian  competitors.     They  affect  to 
treat  them  with  silent  contempt !     A  masterly  argument  this ! 
0  what,  logical  inflexibility  is  embodied  in  this  argument! 
And  although  Mr.  P.  was  then  considered  a  man  of  talents 
and   learning,  and  has  since  been  elected  president   of  La 
Grange  college   in  Alabama,    yet,   this  pious  old  doctor  of 
divinity  calls  him  a  ^^woidd-he  author,^'  and  charges  him  with 
^^weakness,  folly  and  self-conceit!"     Finally,   Athanasius 
charges   his  clerical  brother    Quero,  by  way  of  interroga- 
tory, with  the  want  of  an  "honest  and  upright  heart  and  in- 
tentions."    Still,  Athanasius  says,  ^^Quero  flies   in  a  great 
rage!"     Upon   the   whole,  I  can  but  exclaim  as  did  one  of 
old,  '-Lord,  luhcU  is  manP''     But  to  the   work  in  hand. 
'The  work  which  I  am  now  reviewing,  and  the  most  noxious 
parts  of  which  I  propose  herewith   to  exhibit,  is  founded, 
principally,  on  the  four  following  propositions; — 
^'I.   God  a  moral  governor. 

II.  Man  AMORAL  AGENT. 

III.  God  THE  EFFICIENT  CAUSE. 

t2 


^2  HELPS   TO   THE    STUDY 

IV.  Man  a  passive  recipient,  or,   man  a  creature 

CAPABLE  OF  BEING  ACTED  UPON  BY  ANOTHER  AGENT.'' 

Athanasius^  in  sustaining  the  above  propositions,  uses  a 
great  deal  of  sophistry,  a  quantity  of  fanaticism,  and  much 
of  the  twang  common  to  writers  of  his  order,  all  well  spiced 
with  Hopkinsian  metaphysics.  In  a  w^ord,  the  whole  work 
is  completely  shrouded  in  the  mantle  of  metaphysical  ob- 
scurity. However,  had  I  time  and  room,  I  could  soon  have 
this  whole  pamphlet  in  the  air — dangling  like  the  late  Comet, 
after  Davy  Crockett's  operation  on  it — headless  and  tailless — 
a  scattered  constellation  of  decapitated  Jack  O'lantern !  The 
following  are  the  extracts  which  I  have  selected  from  this 
work: 

* 'But  that  power  which  secures  saints  from  fallings  is  exerted  on  saints 
as  passive  recipients.  And  the  doctrine  of  final  perseverance  belongs  to 
the  two  last  propositions;  namely,  that  God  is  an  efficient  cause,  and  man  is 
a  passive  recipient:,  and  not  the  two  first,  God  acts  on  the  saint  as  a  pas- 
sive recipient,  so  as  to  make  it  certainy  that  he  will  persevere  as  a  moral 
ag'ent  in  holiness. "  Page  18. 

^Kitha.  Docilis,  in  the  close  of  the  last  conversation  you  said,  that  772073 
had  natural  power  to  he  perfectly  holy,  without  divine  influence.  The  sub- 
ject to  which  this  leads  is  important. 

*^Doc.  I  know  not  with  what  subjects  it  may  be  connected;  but  the 
sentiment  seems  to  flow  from  the  principles  about  which  we  had  conversed 
and  settled."  P.  26. 

^^Mha.  Exactly  so.  Then  the  atonement  is  the  ground  on  which  offers 
are  made;  and  the  obedience  of  Christ  unto  death,  the  ground  of  saving 
or  renewing  influence.  Let  me  now  ask,  may  not  all  the  blessings  pro- 
cured by  the  atonement,  be  ofl^ered  and  pressed  on  man  as  a  moral  agent; 
and  yet  710  saving  influence  he  exerted  on  /tt7w,  inclining  him  to  accept-* 
Doc.  If  I  attempt  to  deny  this,  every  day's  experience  would  rise  up 
and  contradict  me."  P.,  28. 

^'Jtha.  You  have  answered  so  well,  you  now  may  tell  me  what  is  hre- 
shtihle  grace . 

Doc.  Athanasius,  I  have  a  sort  of  glimmtring  light  on  that  subject,  but 
would  rather  hear  you  answer. 

JUfia.  I  will  then  try  to  make  it  plain.  God  designs  to  turn  a  sinner  to 
holiness;  All  light  and  motive  addressed  to  him  as  a  moral  agent,  fail. 
God  then  operates  on  him  as  a  passive  recipient,  with  almighty  energt, 
the  infallihle  consequence  of  which  is,  the  man  turns,  and  this  is  irre- 
sistible grace,  and  is  the  same  thing,  that  is  called  special  grace." ^  P.  29. 

^^Mha.  That  the  Father  sent  the  Son  and  commanded  him,  is  the  re- 
peated language  of  the  Bible.  Then,  the  Father's  right  to  command, 
and  the  obligation  of  the  Son  to  ohey,  must  arise  out  of  mutual  agreement^ 
And  there  is  no  way  to  escape  this  argument  but  by  denying  the  equality 
of  the  persons  in  the  Godhead,  or  by  asserting,  that  among  equals,  one 
may  have  an  inherent  right  to  command  another. 

Boc.  Have  you  any  other  proof  that  a  covenant  existed /roTn  all  eternity 
between  the  sacred  persons  of  Jehovah  respecting  man's  redemption? 

Atha.  There  are  several  other  proofs;  1st.  Works  performed  by  a  per- 
son, or  sufferings  endured,  which  were  not  required  or  commanded, 
cannot  entitle  him  who  performed  the  work,  or  endured  the  suff"erings,  to 


OF    PRESS  YTERIANISM.  223 

a  reward.  No  man  feels  bound  to  reward  his  neig-hbor  for  works  which 
he  did  not  employ  him  to  do,  or  for  sufferings  which  he  did  not  require 
him  to  undertake.  But  the  works  and  sufferings  of  the  Redeemer  are 
rewarded  by  the  Father,  and  a  reward  was  promised,  &c. 

Then,  the  works  and  sufferings  of  Jesus  Christ  are  such  as  he  had 
covenanted  to  perform  and  endure,  and  such  as  the  Father  had  covenanted 
to  reward. 

2nd ,  The  persons  of  Jehovah,  antecedent  to  the  covenant,  would  have 
had  an  equal  claim  to  the  creatures  of  their  creative  power.  But  if  the 
Bible  plainly  teaches  that  one  sacred  person  has  a  right  to  give  or  with- 
hold any  part  of  creation,  the  right  must  be  founded  on  agreement  or  cove- 
nant. The  Father  did  give  to  the  Son  aright  to  exercise  authority  over 
all  things,  and  gave  him  a  poktion  of  the  htjmajt  familt  as  a  bewakd." 
P.  30. 

'*Then  look  at  the  subject  in  every  light  that  the  scriptures  represent  it*, 
we  are  necessarily  led  to  the  conclusion,  that  an  ETERNAL  COVENANT 
existed  between  the  sacred  persons  of  the  Godhead  respecting  man's 
redemption."  P.  31. 

^'Doc.  Does  the  agency  of  God  on  man,  as  passive  recipient,  depend 
on  the  consent  of  man  as  moral  agent;  so  that  God  cannot  operate  on  the 
man,  unless  the  man,  as  moral  agent,  first  consent  ttiat  God  should  so 
operate  on  him  as  a  passive  recipient?  The  reason  I  ask  this  question  is, 
I  heard  a  pubhc  teacher  say,  (a  Methodist,  and  he  said  the  truth)  God 
never  would  regenerate  a  man,  unless  the  man  first  agreed  to  be  regen- 
erated. ' 

*'Jtha.  The  cause  and  reason  of  man  willing,  is,  because  God,  as  effi- 
cient caitse,  operates  on  him  us  passive  recipient,  and  works  in  him  to  will 
and  to  do. 

So  that  your  teacher  put  the  effect  before  the  cause.  Were  his  doc- 
trine true,  no  sinner  ever  would  be  converted!.'.'  God  must  make  hira 
willing  in  a  day  of  his  power;  and  this  is  done  by  a  divine  injiuence  on  him 
as  a  passive  recipient;  whicli  operation  is  previous  to  any  right  moral  exer- 
cises in  the  will  of  man  as  a  moral  agent."  P.  33. 

*'Atha.  What  is  sin? 

Doc.  It  is  a  transgression  of  the  law  of  God. 

.itha.  Yes,  and  the  law  of  God  is  fulfilled  by  love.  Then  the  opposi- 
tion to  love  is  enmity.  Love  is  the  voluntary  exercise  of  a  moral  agent;  of 
course,  enmity  is  also  the  exercise  of  a  moral  agent.  Then,  I  ask,  can  sin 
belong  to  man  as  a  passive  recipient? 

Doc.  Sin  cannot  consist  in  a  mere  capacity  to  be  acted  on  by  some  other 
agent;  for  this  is  no  transgression  of  a  law;  but  sin  must  be  in  the  acts  of 
an  active  creature,  transgressing  or  violating  some  law. 

J^tJia.  May  not  a  creature,  as  soon  as  it  has  an  idea  and  a  voluntary  exer^ 
else,  be  a  sinner? 

Doc.  It  would  seem  so! 

Atha.  But  can  a  soul  exist  without  being  a  moral  agentl 

Doc.  I  think  not!!!"  P.  33,  34. 

Remarks. — The  above  contradictory  questions  and  answers, 
end  my  quotations  from  the  Seven  Conversations.  I  would, 
at  any  time,  prefer,  for  the  man  of  my  counsel,  the  Koran, 
communicated  to  Mohammed  by  the  angel  Gabriel,  to  that  of 
the  Seven  Conversations. 

And,  there  is  more  sound  doctrine  and  scriptural  divinity, ' 


224  HELPS   TO   THE   STUDY 

inthefollowlngextract,  taken  from  the  second  chapter  of  Sale's 
translation  of  theKoran, than thereismthis  whole  work:  *^God, 
there  isno  God  buthe;  the  living,  theself-existing:  neither  slum- 
ber nor  sleep  seizeth  him;  to  him  belongeth  whatsoever  is  in  hea- 
ven, and  on  earth.  Who  is  he  that  can  intercede  with  him,  but 
through  his  goodness  and  good  pleasure!  He  knoweth  that 
which  is  past,  and  that  which  is  to  come  unto  them,  and  they 
shall  not  comprehend  any  thing  of  his  knowledge,  but  so  far 
as  he  pleaseth.  His  throne  is  extended  over  heaven  and  earth, 
and  the  preservation  of  both  is  no  burthen  to  him.  He  is 
the  high,  the  mighty  God.  Let  there  be  no  violence  in  reli- 
gion. To  God  belongeth  the  east  and  the  west;  therefore 
whithersoever  ye  turn  yourselves  to  pray,  there  is  the  face  of 
Qod;  for  God  is  ormiipresent  and  omniscient.''^ 

Inasmuch  as  the  sentiment  that  '^man  has  natural  power  to 
be  perfectly  holy,  without  divine  influence,'^  is  a  prevailing 
one,  among  all  Hopkinsian  Calvinists,  it  deserves  a  passing 
notice  at  least. 

That  man  has  natural  ability,  to  not  only  work  out  his 
salvation,  but  also  to  break  the  decrees  of  God,  and  that 
he  could  and  would  do  all  this,  were  he  not  prevented  by  an 
invincible  moral  inability,  is  a  well  digested  article  of  faith, 
with  all  thorough  going  Hopkinsians.  Now,  to  say  that  a 
person  has  natural  ability  to  do  a  moral  act,  and  yet  that  he 
has  no  moral  abilit}^  to  do  it,  is  a  bare-faced  contradiction.  A 
natural  ability  to  do  a  moral  act,  differs  not,  according  to  my 
apprehension,  from  a  moral  ability;  but  if  the  advocates  for 
natural  ability  d^ndi  mo7Ydinability  claim  thdit  eyes  consti- 
tute an  ability  to  see  without  light,  and  ears  to  hear  without 
sound,  1  for  one,  contend  not,  but  invite  all  such  to  make  the 
experiment!  If  man  has  a  natural  ability  to  obtain  justifica- 
tion by  a  compliance  with  the  law  given  to  our  first  parents, 
or  the  moral  law,  I  see  no  necessity  of  a  Saviour,  or  of  an 
atonement. 

It  is  admitted  by  the  Hopkinsians,  who  hold  this  doctrine, 
that  when  man  fell,  he  lost  the  image  of  God.  They  also  ad- 
mit that  love  to  God  is  not  natural  to  man,  but  that  he  is  "bora 
like  the  wild  ass's  colt,"  and  that  as  soon  as  he  is  born,  he 
wanders  off,  ''speaking  lies.''  Where  then,  I  would  ask, 
and  ask  it  with  a  pity  too,  for  these  deluded  creatures,  is  man's 
natural  ability  to  love  and  obey  God?  If  it  be  admitted  that 
man,  in  consequence  of  the  fall,  comes  into  the  world  desti- 
tute of  the  image  of  God,  and  has  need  to  be  born  again  be- 
fore he  can  love  God,  it  must  follow,  in  my  humble  concep- 
tion, that  he  has  no  natural  ability  to  do  the  works  of  the  law, 


OF  PRESBTTERIANISM.  225 

nor  natural  ability,  independently  of  the  grace  of  God,  to 
believe  to  the  saving  of  the  soul.  But  can  he  thus  believe? 
No:  no  more  than  the  vilest  insect  that  crawls  upon  the  face 
of  the  earth.  And,  however  pleasing  this  doctrine  may  be  to 
human  vanity,  it  is  contrary  to  scripture,  reason,  and  experi- 
ence. But  what  are  man's  powers  of  free  volition  and  action? 
Why,  first,  a  man  can  go  so  far,  and  do  all  that  is  necessary 
for  the  purposes  of  life,  in  providing  for  both  himself  and 
family.  So  in  like  manner,  a  man  can  exercise  his  intel- 
lectual powers,  in  reasoning,  willing,  judging,  loving  hating, 
choosing,  refusing,  &c.;  and  so  with  divine  assistance,  he  can 
go  so  far  as  to  work  out  his  own  salvation. 

Milton  expresses  this  sentiment  very  beautifully: 

-Ingrate!  he  (Adam)  had  of  me 


All  he  could  have;  I  made  him  just  and  rig-ht. 
Sufficient  to  have  stood,  though  free  to  fall.' 


CHAPTER  VI. 

JL  BRIEF  NOTICE  OF  REV.  ABEL  PEARSOn's  ^ ^ANALYSIS  OF  THE 
PRINCIPLES  OF  THE  DIVINE  GOVERNMENT,  IN  A  SERIES  OF 
CONVERSATIONS,  &C.'' 

This  ever  to  be  detestable  book,  consists  of  upwards  of  four 
hundred  octavo  pages,  printed  on  bad  paper,  with  pale  ink, 
and  indifferent  type;  and  is  written  in  the  form  of  a  dialogue, 
being  a  series  of  conversations  between  A.  P.  and  N.  P.,  on 
almost  all  the  different  points  in  theology. 

The  author  of  this  work,  is  an  aged  minister  of  the  Hop- 
kinsian  order,  and  is  a  compound  of  coarse  wit,  odd  looks, 
queer  gestures,  blunt  manners,  Hopkinsian  metaphysics,  Cal- 
vinian  prejudices,  and  Antinomian  bigotry.  I  have  careful- 
ly examined  this  work,  and  therefore  conclude  in  the  words 
of  Lord  Bacon,  that  I  have  ^'sorted  the  prophecy  with  the 
event  fulfilling  the  same;"  and  although,  it  contains  some 
sentiments  of  great  beauty,  in  that  part  entitled  "A  disserta- 
tion on  the  prophecies,"  much  of  it  in  a  moral  point  of  view 
is  disgustingly  licentious,  and  some  parts  of  it  are  ridiculous- 
ly absurd.  Already  has  this  Analysis,  like  the  lying  proph- 
ets of  Samaria,  widely  diffused  its  false  doctrines,  leading 
many  poor  souls  into  error.  The  work,  however,  is  very 
much  extolled  by  several  distinguished  Presbyterian  minis- 
ters,- and  it  is  especially  recommended  by  the  sovereign  pen- 


%26  HELPS  TO  THE   STUDY 

tiff  of  Maryville;  who  is,  in  the  mean  time,  the  expounder 
of  Mr.  Pearson's  faith,  his  supreme  legislator  and  judge,  in 
a  qualified  sense,  as  well  as  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
Hopkinsian  forces,  in  East  Tennessee!    To  the  author  of  the 
Analysis  I  would  say,  as  did  our  Savior  to  the  unbelieving 
Jews:  ^^ Search  the  sc7'iptures,  for  in  them  ye  think  ye 
have  eternal  life;  and  they  are  they  which  testify  of  me." 
This  language  would  never  have  been  used  by  Christ,  if,  for 
an  explanation  of  the  prophecies,  it  had  been  necessary  to 
wander  into  the  mists  of  fabulous  mythology,  or  the  enigmat- 
ical allegories  of  Egyptian  hieroglyphics;  or  if,  to  strength- 
en the  faith  or  confirm  the  hopes  of  the  humble  enquirer,  it 
had  been  necessary,  for  an  explanation  of  the  gospel,  to  dive 
or  plunge  into  the  subtleties  of  the  Platonic  or  the  Aristota- 
lian  philosophy,  or,  if  to  seek  for  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  form  the  heart  anew,  it  had  been  necessary  to  study 
the  metaphysics  of  Hopkinsian  theology.      And  had  Mr. 
Pearson  rejected  all  foreign  auxiliaries,  and  had  he  explained 
upon  principles,  simply  scriptural,  a  portion  of  the  prophe- 
cies, or  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel;  why,  then,  his  book 
woilld  have  been  less  noxious,  and  more  in  unison  with  the 
character  of  God,  and  the  dictates  of  common  sense.     How- 
ever, the  reader  will  not  regard  me  as  holding  out  the  idea, 
that  Mr.  Pearson,  in  this  work,  has  evinced  to  the  world,  that 
he  is  a  man  of  critical  research,  or  of  profound  learning: — 
this  is  not  my  opinion.     It  is  very  desirable  that  an  aitthor 
should  unite  in  his  person  those  high  qualifications,   natural 
and  acquired,   which  have  in  all  ages  been  the  lot  of  those 
who  have  attained  eminence  in  the  art  of  book-making,  and 
which  have  placed  it  among  those  pursuits  that  are  at  once 
the  cause  and  the  effect  of  advanced  improvement  in  society. 
But  alas!  nine-tenths  of  the  writers  2in<^ preachers  oi  this  de- 
nomination, are  almost  as  destitute  of  these  qualifications,  as 
they  are  ignorant  of  constitutional  and  national  law,  and  of 
infantry  and  artillery  tactics!     Talk   to   one  half  of  them 
about  history,  mythology  philosophy,  rhetoric,  natural  histo- 
ry, botany,  astronomy,  chemistry,  mental  and  moral  philoso- 
phy, ancient  and  modern  geography,   with   the  use  of  the 
globes,  drawing  maps,  &c,,  and  you  will  find  them  as  dumb 
as  so  many  frogs  in  dog-days!     Mr.  Pearson's  description  of 
the  new  birth,  is  among  the  most  wild  and  visionary  things  I 
have  ever  seen.     The  following  are  his  views  of  this  all-im- 
portant subject: 

''N.  Now  suppose  this  anxious  enquirer  reply,  just  in  this  place:  I  do. 


OF  PRESBTTERIAXISM.  227 

ttot  know  whether  I  have  done  that  thing  or  not;  but  this  I  do  know,  I  have 
honestly  tried  to  do  it,  yet  things  did  not  take  place  with  me  as  I  ex- 
pected afterwards.  And  on  this  account  he  feels  much  doubt  and  uncer- 
tainty. 

"A.  I  should  like  such  an  answer  much  better  than  a  positive  assurance 
that  he  had  done  the  very  thing  in  particular. 

**N.  For  what  reason? 

**A.  Because,  I  know  if  he  do  that  very  thing,  he  will/ec/  disappoinfed, 
things  will  not  turn  up  as  he  expected,  for  it  would  be  strange  that  an 
impenitent,  should  know  beforehand,  how  a  penitent  should  act  and  feel. 

**N,  Is  it  likely  that  such  an  one,  at  this  time,  just  after  he  has  done 
that  particular  thing,  will  feel  that  he  has  any  Christianity? 

"A.  NO;  for  things  not  taking  place  with  him  according  to  his  former 
expectations,  his  feelings  of  disappointment,  with  more  humiliating  views 
of  himself  on  account  of  his  crimes,  may  make  him  feel  as  if  he  were  a 

WORSK    SINNEH,    AND    FURTHER    FROltt    BEING   A    ChRISTIAS  than    hc    CVCr 

thought  he  was  before."    Page  219. 

Remarks. — Who  would  ever  have  thought  of  assigning  as 
evidence  oi  a  man's  conversion,  his  bad  feelings,  his  doubts, 
and  his  utter  want  of  assurance?  The  poor  old  man  has  prov- 
en to  all  who  enjoy  religion,  that  he  himself,  knows  nothing 
about  it.  And  let  all  the  people  say,  "pity  the  sorrows  of  a 
poor  old  man!"  Men  whose  views,  of  the  necessary  quali- 
fications for  heaven,  are  as  unseriptural  and  wild,  as  are  those 
of  Mr.  Pearson,  have  no  more  business  preaching,  in  my 
humble  coneeption,  than  have  the  cadets  of  the  United  States' 
military  academy.  And  I  confess,  that  if  I  were  enquiring 
the  way  to  Zion,  I  should  as  soon  consult  the  most  approved 
geographical  and  topographical  maps  of  the  States  of  Europe, 
as  such  men.  Agreeably  to  Mr.  Pearson's  easy  scheme,  a 
man  may  have  the  peace  that  the  world  knoweth  not,  the 
peace  of  God  passing  all  understanding,  and  the  love  of  God 
«hed  abroad  in  his  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  without  ever 
feeling  any  thing  of  either;  and  to  cap  the  infernal  climax, 
when  a  man  has  obtained  this  doubtful  testimony  of  his  ac- 
ceptance with  God,  he  can  never  lose  it! 

Pascal,  the  strength  of  whose  reason  was  so  much  celebrat- 
ed in  the  last  age,  thought  that  peace  and  love  unfelt  and  con- 
sequently unenjoyed,  were  of  as  little  service  to  him  "as  a 
painted  sun  to  a  plant  under  snow,  or  the  description  of  some 
beautiful  fruits  to  a  man  starved  with  hunger."  Take  the 
following  one  of  his  thoughts: 

"To  know  God  speculatively  is  not  to  know  him  at  alL 
Heathens  knew  him  to  be  the  infallible  author  of  geometri- 
cal truths,  and  supreme  disposer  of  nature.  The  Jews  knew 
him  by  his  providential  care  of  his  worshippers,  and  tempo- 
ral blessings,  but  christians  know  God  as  a  God  of  consola^ 


228  HELPS   TO  THE   STUDY 

Hon  and  love,  a  God  who  possesses  the  hearts  and  souls  of 
his  servants,  gives  them  an  inward  feeling  of  their  own  mis- 
ery, and  his  infinite  mercy,  and  unites  Himself  to  their  spir- 
its, replenishing  them  with  humility  and  joy,  with  affiance 
and  love."  But  to  proceed.  When  persons  come  forward 
and  attach  themselves  to  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  relate 
to  the  session  their  bad  feelings,  &c.  it  is  said  they  have  ^'ob- 
tained a  hope."  Nor  is  there  but  little,  if  any  religion  among 
the  most  of  them,  save  that  of  a  hope-so-religion.  Now  if 
I  understand  the  true  and  scriptural  import  of  this  term,  it 
means  desire  and  expectation,  in  the  absence  of  which  it  does 
not,  and  indeed  cannot  exist.  2.  Hope  always  implies  a  want 
of  possession,  as  it  regards  the  thing  hoped  for..  Thus  St.  Paul 
says,  ''For  we  are  saved  by  hope.  But  hope  that  is  seen  is 
not  hope;  for  what  a  man  seeth  why  doth  he  yet  hope  for  it? 
But  if  we  hope  for  that  we  see  not,  then  do  we  with  patience 
wait  for  it.^'  3.  Hope  implies  a  possibility/  of  obtaining 
the  thing  hipped  for,  without  which  hope  flies,  and  despair 
ensues.  4.  If  the  view  1  have  taken  of  hope  be  correct, 
does  it  not  follow  that  there  has  been  a  very  great  misuse  of 
the  term  in  its  application  to  the  subject  of  salvation?  In 
these  latter  days,  we  frequently  hear  men,  claiming  to  be 
-^competenf^  ministers,  to  the  exclusion  too  of  all  others,  in 
their  public   accounts  of  revivals  of  religion,    conclude  by 

saying,  in  substance,   "As  the  fruits  of  this  revival have 

obtained  a  hopeP^  I  ask,  a  hope  of  what?  In  the  name  of 
Buzzard's  Bay,  Turks  Island,  and  the  Cape  of  GooiiHope, 
what  do  Hopkinsian  ministers  mean,  when  they  say  such  an 
one  obtained  a  hope!  If  they  mean  that  the  individuals  re- 
fered  to,  having  obtained  the  conversion  op.  their  souls, 
have  "now  a  hope  of  glory,"  it  is  well  enough;  but  if  they 
mean  that  they  have  obtained  a  hope  that  they  have  been 
brought  out  of  the  darkness,  guilt,  and  misery  of  sin,  into 
the  light,  liberty,  and  peace  of  the  sons  of  God,  it  is  only 
darkening  counsel  by  words  without  knowledge. 

If  religion  be  a  subject  of  knowledge,  as  the  scriptures 
teach,  then  it  is  not  a  subject  of  hope;  for  hope,  I  have  al- 
ready shown,  is  desireax\di  expectation  of  some  future  good; 
and  if  it  be  not  a  subject  of  knowledge,  then  it  is  of  no  con- 
sequence whether  we  have  it  or  not.  I  say,  if  the  difference 
between  being  happy  in  God,  and  being  miserable  in  sin,  is 
so  little,  that  we  cannot  know  it,  then  it  is  by  no  means  im- 
portant to  our  present  happiness,  which  state  we  are  in.  To 
me,  this  reasoning  seems  conclusive,  but  to  others  it  may  have 
the  appearance  of  misrepresentation,  again. 


or    PRESB  YTERIANISM.  229 

I  close  by  adding  a  few  sayings  from  an  old  book  called 
the  Bible,  and  said  1o  have  been  written  a  long  time  ago! 

*<lf  in  this  life  only  we  have  hope  in  Christ,  we  are  of  all 
men  most  miserable.''  I  Cor.  xv,  19.  <<The  Spirit  itself 
beareth  witness  with  our  spirit,  that  we  are  the  children  of 
God.''  Rom.  viii,  16.  ^^And  because  ye  are  sons,  God  hath 
sent  forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  your  hearts^  crying, 
Abba,  Father."  Gal.  iv,  6. 

^^And  we  know  that  the  Son  of  God  is  come,  and  hath 
given  us  an  understanding  that  we  may  know  him  that  is 
true;  and  we  are  in  him  that  is  the  true  God."  I  John  v,  20. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

h  BRIEF  NOTICE  OP  A  WORK  ENTITLED    "QUESTIONS  ON   THE 
SYSTEM  OP  DIDACTIC  THEOLOGY,  TAUGHT  IN  THE  SOUTHERN 


The  many  distinctions,  of  an  abstruse  nature,  yet  glar- 
ingly absurd,  which  have  accompanied  the  gradual  develop- 
ment of  Hopkinsian  Calvinism,  go  very  much  to  strengthen 
the  truth  of  the  main  proposition  on  which  Deistn  rests, 
namely,  that  God  has  fore-ordained  whatsoever  comes  to 
pass,  and  that  this  universal  decree  is  predicated  oi  fore- 
knowledge. I  allude  to  improved  modern  Deism.  The 
work  under  consideration,  is  the  production  of  Dr.  Anderson; 
and  while  it  contains  at  bottom,  all  the  essential  features  of 
old  Calvinism,  it  is  deeply  spiced  with  metaphysical  madness. 
I  have  examined  it  closely,  and  I  am  prepared  to  say,  that 
all  the  noxious  doctrines  of  Calvinism  are  separately  con- 
sidered by  the  writer,  and  that  too,  without  any  sort  of  dis- 
guise. The  tenacity  with  which  the  writer  holds  fast  the 
noxious  features  of  Calvinism,  and  the  metaphysical  manner 
in  which  he  undertakes  to  make  them  harmonize  with  the 
freedom  of  man — if  indeed  he  allows  to  man  any  freedom 
at  all — betrays  him,  it  appears  to  me,  into  a  method  of  rea- 
soning and  illustrating,  which  does  great  disservice  to  Christi- 
anity, by  opening  a  door  for  all  sorts  of  infidel  heresies. 
And  all  this  mass  of  licentious  stuff,  it  will  be  recollected  by 
the  reader,  is  ^Haughf^  in  the  seminary  at  Maryville!  But 
I  have  neither  time  nor  a  disposition  at  present,  to  enter  fully 
upon  an  examination  of  this  work — to  controvert  it  I  mean. 
I  will  content  myself  with  giving  the  first  essay  in  the  book, 
u 


230  HEIPS   TO  THE    STFDT 

which  is  on  Natural  Theology,  and  which,  I  unhesitatingly 
affirm,  is  rank  Deism. 

•'What  is  natural  theology? 

Ans.  It  is  that  knowledg-e  of  divine  truth  which  is  discoverable  by  the 
light  of  nature. 

What  is  meant  hy  the  light  of  nature? 

Arts.  The  evidence  which  the  works  of  God  exhibit  of  divine  truth,  to 
such  minds  as  ours,  if  disposed  to  receive  the  evidence,  and  investigate 
the  truth. 

What  does  natural  theology  teach? 

Ans.  Many  fundamental  doctrines,  and  also  the  essential  dnty  of  man! 

What  first  fundamental  doctrine  do  you  mention  as  taught  by  natural 
theology? 

By  what  method  does  natural  religion  teach  the  existence  of  a  God! 

Ans.  By  the  facts  presented  in  the  universe. 

8th.  How  do  you  show  from  these  facts  that  there  is  a  God? 

9th.  What  fundamental  doctrine  do  you  next  mention? 

Ans.  The  esseutial  perfections  of  god!  ! 

10th.  Shew  that  natural  religion  teaches  the  omnipotence  of  God. 

1 1th.  Shew  that  it  teaches  the  unity  of  God. 

12th.  Shew  that  it  teaches  the  wisdom  of  God. 

13th.  Shew  that  it  teaches  the  omniscience  of  God. 

14th.  Shew  that  it  teaches  the  omnipresence  of  God. 

I6th.  Shew  that  it  teaches  the  goodness  or  benevolence  of  God. 

16th.  Does  God's  goodness  comprehend  all  his  moral  perfections,  'jus- 
tice, truth,  holiness  and  mercy? 

17th.  What  fundamental  doctrines  do  you  mention  in  the  third  place? 

Ans.  God's  universal  decrees  and  agency. 

18th.  Shew  how  natural  religion  teaches  these  doctrines. 

19th.   Shew  how  it  teaches  God's  sovereignty. 

30th.  Shew  that  it  teaches  the  entire  dependence  of  creatures  ca 
God. 

21st.  Shew  that  it  teaches  the  essential  difference  between  right  and 
wrong. 

22d*  Shew  that  it  teaches  the  justice  of  eternal  punishment. 

23d.  You  have  said  that  natural  religion  teaches  the  essential  duties  of 
man. 

24th.  What  do  you  first  mention  under  this  head? 

Ans.  Supreme  love  to  God. 

25th.  Shew  that  it  teaches  this  duty. 

26th.  Shew  how  it  teaches  unconditional  submission. 

27th.  Shew  that  it  teaches  the  duty  of  loving  our  neighbor  as  our- 
selves. 

28th.  Shew  that  it  clearly  teaches  DISINTERESTED  BENEVOLENCE.^' 

Remarks. — If  natural  theology  teaches  all  the  essential 
perfections  of  God,  and  the  whole  duty  of  man,  as  stated 
above,  then,  I  say,  away  with  revelation !  And  if  natural 
theology  teaches  all  the  doctrines  contained  in  the  foregoing 
questions  and  answers,  embracing  <<God's  universal  decrees," 
— "unconditional  submission," — and  "disinterested  benevo- 
lence," it  teaches  more  than  revealed  theology  does,  for  the 


OF    PRESB  TTERIANISM.  231 

Bible  teaches  no  such  doctrines.  Nor  would  the  deist  ask 
the  christian  to  grant  any  thing  more,  than  Dr.  A.  has  granted 
in  the  above,  in  order  to  silence  him.  I  do  not  depreciate 
natural  theology,  nor  would  I  misrepresent  the  theology  of 
the  Bible.  Natural  theology  has  its  proper  office.  Revealed 
theology  has  its  proper  place.  But  while  the  former  teaches 
us  very  little  concerning  God,  with  certainty,  the  latter  acts 
the  part  of  a  successful,  and  a  profound  teacher.  It  is  one  of 
the  distinguishing  characteristics  of  the  revelation  contained 
in  the  sacred  scriptures,  that,  in  every  important  point,  it 
harmonizes  with  the  deductions  of  sound  reason,  and  the 
principles  of  common  sense.  This  however,  might  naturally 
be  expected;  since  God  is  the  author  both  of  the  reasoning 
faculty  in  man,  and  of  the  declaration  contained  in  the  volume 
of  inspiration. 

Again:  The  grave  and  the  worm  are  appalling  to  the  heart, 
and  fill  it  with  fearful  apprehensions.  Through  fear  of  death, 
thousands  are  all  their  life  time  subject  to  bondage.  From 
this  undue  degree  of  fear,  a  man  in  the  enjoyment  of  revealed 
religion  is  delivered.  But  no  man  ever  was  brought  to  this 
sense  of  the  endless  duration  of  his  soul  by  the  light  of  na- 
ture, nor  by  a  long  train  of  reasoning,  the  opinion  of  Dr. 
Anderson  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  These  may 
satisfy  a  merely  speculative  enquirer,  but  they  can  never 
satisfy  the  man,  who  is  alive  to  the  importance  of  eternity, 
and  makes  it  the  subject  oi  his  enquiries.  Death  and  the 
grave  laugh  to  scorn  what  man  calls  natural  religion. 

There  corruption  performs  her  work  in  triumph;  and  he, 
who  rejects  the  Bible,  must  look  on  and  despair.  It  is  the 
gospel  only,  which  brings  life  and  immortality  to  light,  and 
it  is  by  an  honest  belief  in  God's  revealed  will,  that  a  man 
first  learns  to  regard  himself  as  the  heir  of  eternity. 

The  immortal  Byron's  views  of  the  Bible,  as  expressed  in 
fiis  dying  words,  are  my  views: — 

"Within  this  awful  volume  lies 
The  mystery  of  mysteries. 
O!  happiest  they  of  human  race. 
To  whon^  our  God  has  given  grace 
To  hear,  to  read,  to  fear,  to  pray. 
To  lift  the  latch,  and  force  the  way; 
But  better  had  they  ne'er  been  horn, 
"Who  read  to  doubt,  or  read  to  scorn." 

But  the  religion  taught  by  Christ  and  his  apostles,  must  and 
%ill  prevail.  ^  In  despite  of  Julian,  the  miserable  apostate, 
Hume,  the  infidel  philosopher,  Hobbes,  the  gloomy  sceptic, 
Voltaire^  the  inveterate  foe  to  Christ,  Uousseau,  the  witty 


232  HELPS    TO   THE    STUDY 

profligate,  Paine,  the  detestable,  dishonest  and  vulgar  op- 
poser  of  truth,  and  the  natural  religion  of  Mary  ville  and  its 
vicinity,  rei^ew/e^/ religion  must  triumph. 

Again:  Sooner  than  I  would  send  a  son  of  mine  to  this 
seminary,  were  I  a  parent,  to  study  Anderson^s  system  of  na- 
tural theology,  I  would  send  him  where  he  might  learn  the 
great  system  of  idealism,  as  held  by  Hume  and  Berkely! 
Sooner  would  I  embrace  the  degrading  sentiments  of  Hobbes 
and  Mandeville,  the  former  representing  religion  as  the  cre- 
ation of  human  policy,  and  the  latter  representing  its  sole 
principle  to  be  the  love  of  human  praise.  What!  natural 
theology  teach  a  man  all  about  God,  the  duties  he  owes  to  his 
God,  and  to  his  fellow  beings!  Strange  indeed!  Deism  to 
ail  intents  and  purposes!  But  if  Dr.  Anderson's  system  of 
natural  theology  be  a  sound  one,  why  send  missionaries  to  the 
heathens?  Why  take  such  pains  to  send  the  Bible  with  rnis- 
sionaries  to  the  different  heathen  countries  under  the  sun? 
Verily  the  Africans,  the  Indians,  and  others  whom  we  are  la- 
boring to  rescue  from  pagan  darkness,  have  the  theology  of 
nature  among  them  in  all  its  splendor!  But,  neither  the  book 
of  nature,  or  of  conscience,  or  any  other  book  in  the  world, 
save  that  of  the  Bible,  gives  us  either  a  satisfactory  idea  of 
Deity,  or  the  manner  in  which  he  is  to  be  v/orshipped.  It  is 
in  the  Bible  we  learn,  both  that  God  is,  and  that  *'he  is  a  re- 
warder  of  them  who  diligently  seek  him."  The  Bible  reflects 
a  light  which  never  dawned  on  the  mind  of  man,  however 
much  he  may  have  been  aided  by  the  light  of  nature.  Many 
of  the  ancient  philosophers  felt  the  propensities  to  evil,  but 
never  could  tell,  till  assisted  by  revelation,  whence  they  pro- 
ceeded. Look  into  the  popular  mythology  of  Greece  and 
Rome,  and  you  will  see,  that  many  of  their  most  distinguished 
philosophers,  not  having  learned  that  the  spring  was  cor- 
rupted by  the  introduction  of  moral  evil,  they  were  at  a  loss 
to  determine  how  the  streams  became  polluted.  In  conclu- 
sion, I  would  calculate  on  rendering  as  much  real  service  to 
the  cause  of  God  and  my  country,  by  patronizing  the  Univer- 
sity of  Paris,  or  the  Military  School  of  France,  as  that  of  th^ 
Southern  and  Western  Theological  Seminary. 


OF  PRESBYTERIANISM.  233 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

A  BRIEF  NOTICE  OF  THE  DOCTRINES  OF  THE  LEADING-  DENOMI- 
NATIONS IN  OUR  COUNTRY,  AND  A  WORD  OF  ADVICE  TO 
THOSE  WHO  THINK  OF  UNITING  WITH  SOME  CHURCH. 

With  what  church  do  you  think  to  unite  reader? — Perhaps 
you  are  ready  to  conclude  as  many  others  have  done,  that  it 
matters  not  what  your  name  is  called,  if  you  are  only  a  chris- 
tian.    And,  say  you,  there  are  the  Methodists  and  Baptists, 
the  Presbyterians  and  Hopkinsians,  the  Congregationalists 
and  Lutherans,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  and  Quakers; 
and  I  see  hut  little  difference  in  them  all,  as  they  are  alien- 
gaged  in  promoting  revivals,  and  the  benevolent  enterprises 
of  the  day.     With  one  or  the  other  of  these  churches  I  shall 
probably  unite,  but  1  dojiot  know  which.     I  am  glad,  gentle 
reader,  that  you  are  so  pleased  with  the  churches,  and  that 
you  have  concluded  to  associate  yourself  with  some  one   of 
tliem  afterwhile.     And  I  readily  grant,  it  is  true,  that  in  some 
tilings  there  is  but   little  difference  between  them;  but  in 
many  things  they  differ  much;  and  much  of  this  difference  is 
on  very  important  points.     Reader,  would  you  not  do  well 
to  examine  this  subject  critically,  before  you  join  any  church? 
Let  us  see  what  the  facts  are.      The  name  methodist,  has 
been  applied  to  different  sects,  both  Papists  and  Protestants, 
in  France,  England  and  elsewhere.      The  Wesleyan  Metho- 
dists are  so  called  from  John  Wesley,  an  eminent  scholar  and 
divine,  of  the  church  of  England,  who  commenced  forming 
societies  in  London,  about  a  century  ago.     The  first  Metho- 
dist society  ever  formed  in  the  United  States,  was  in  the  city 
of  New- York,  in  1 766.     And  the  first  Methodist  church  v/as 
built  in  New-York  in  1768.     This  is  now,  the  most  numerous 
sect  on  the  American  continent.     The  Methodists  agree  with 
the  leading  denominations  of  this  country,  in  several  respects; 
— and  in  several  respects  they  materially  differ  from  all  other 
denominations.     The  doctrines  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodists, 
are  the  same  as  the  church  of  England,  as  set  forth  in  her 
liturgy,   articles,  and  homilies.     The  principle  means  em- 
ployed of  late  by  other  denominations  to  promote  revivals, 
have  been  constantly  employed  by  the  Methodists,  ever  since 
they  have  been  a  people:  they  make  a  part  of  their  system. 
And  all  those  doctrines  which  are  so  popular  in  the  present 
day,  and  which  distinguish  the  Protestants  from  the  Roman 
Catholics,  have  long  been  held  in  common  by  the  Methodists. 
u2 


234  HELF3   TO   THE    STUDY 

In  their  mode  of  Church  Government,  they  differ  some- 
what from  all  other  denominations.  The  government  of  the 
Methodists  is  called  Episcopal;  that  is,  the  church  is  su- 
perintended by  Episcopal  Bishops,  whose  duty  and  daily  bu- 
siness it  is,  to  travel  at  large  through  the  whole  work;  pre- 
side in  the  Annual  and  General  Conferences; — with  the  as- 
sistance of  the  Elders,  ordain  those  who  have  been  elected 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry, — and,  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  the  presiding  Elders  of  the  several  districts,  in  coun- 
cil assembled,  appoint  the  preachers  to  their  circuits  and  sta- 
tions. 

The  Methodists  agree  with  other  churches  in  the  manner 
of  receiving  and  excluding  members;  that  is,  by  the  voice  of 
the  people.  Still,  in  one  or  two  respects  there  is  a  difference; 
1st  None  are  admitted  as  full  members  of  the  Methodist 
church,  until  they  have  met  in  class  at  least  six  months  on 
trial.  And  2dly.  If,  when  excluded,  they  think  justice  has 
not  been  done,  they  are  allowed  an  appeal  to  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  Conference;  provided  nevertheless,  they  do  notab- 
sent  themselves  from  trial,  on  the  day  appointed. 

As  it  respects  Baptism,  although  they  admit  immersion, 
to  be  scriptural  and  valid,  they  do  not  think  it  the  only  valid 
mode,  nor  do  they  reject  infants  as  proper  subjects;  of  course 
they  commune  with  all  who  acknowledge  the  essential  di- 
vinity of  Christ.     In  this  they  differ  from  the  Baptists,  but 
perfectly  agree  with  all  high  minded  and  liberal  christians. 
The  Baptists,  are  a  denomination  of  christians  who  main- 
tain that  baptism  is  to  be  administered  by  immersion,  and  in 
no  other  way.     They  believe  that  immersion  is  the  only  val- 
id mode; — that  no  other  preacher  but  a  baptist  preacher  has 
any  right  to  immerse;— that  immersion  by  a  baptist  preacher 
IB  essential  to  salvation ;—\hQy  will  re-baptize,  and  they  re- 
ject infant  baptism.     Although  there  were  several  baptists 
among  the  followers  of  Wickliffe,  it  does  not  appear  that  they 
were  formed  into  any  stabilitytill  the  day  sofMenno,  about  the 
year  1536.     The  baptists  who  flourished  previous  to  this  time, 
not  satisfied  with  Luther's  plan  of  reformation,  undertook  a 
visionary  enterprize,  to  found  a  new  church  entirely  spiritu- 
al and  divine!! 

And  Munzer,  an  immersionist,  and  his  associates,  in  the 
year  1525,  put  themselves  at  the  head  of  a  numerous  army, 
and  declared  war  against  all  laws,  governments,  and  magis- 
trates of  every  description ! ! ! 

The  Church  Goveriiment  of  this  sect,  in  many  respects, 
resembles  that  of  the  Congregational,  and  in  other  respects  it 


OF  PRESBYTERIAiriSM.  235 

resembles  that  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  They  partic- 
ularly resemble  the  Catholics,  in  that  they  refuse  to  hold  com- 
munion with  any  other  church  but  their  own. 

In  their  doctrinal  system,  they  hold  forth  the  doctrine  of 
prtdestination  to  vn'ath, — election  to  life,  and  the  final 
perseverance  oi  the  s^mis.  Generally,  when  the  ministers  of 
this  denomination  ipreach  free  salvation,  they  must  be  under- 
stood to  mean  that  it  is  free  for  the  elect,  who  were  eternally 
chosen  in  Christ.  How  can  it  be  free  for  reprobates?  See  the 
Articles  of  Faith  contained  in  the  minutes  of  the  Shaftsbury 
Baptist  Association,  published  in  1806;  and  see  the  circular 
letter  contained  in  thsPittsford  Baptist  Association,  publish- 
ed in  1810. 

The  difference  between  the.  Congregationalists  and  the 
Presbyterians  is  ve^y  trifling,  as  I  have  shown  heretofore; 
it  chiefly  respects  the ^ot;e?'n??ie?z^  of  the  churches.  The 
former  is  congregational,  that  is,  each  separate  church  regu- 
lates its  own  affairs,  wholly  independent  of  all  others.  The 
latter  is  presbyterial,  that  is  to  say,  the  presbyteries  com- 
posed of  ministers  and  ruling  elders,  have  the  supervision  of 
the  churches. 

The  views  they  entertain  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Bible,  and 
the  plan  of  salvation,  are  precisely  similar,  and  alike  erro- 
neous, as  will  be  seen  by  a  reference  to  the  Articles  of  Faith 
published  by  the  General  Association  of  the  one,  and  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  other.  It  is  true,  however,  some 
ministers  and  some  churches  among  these  denominations,  ap- 
pear  to  differ  somewhat  from  their  standard  writings.  But 
when  we  examine  them,  we  find  that  the  difierence  is  in 
phraseology  rather  than  in  sentiment.  Their  doctrinal  sys- 
tem is  the  same.  It  is  strictly  Calvinistic.  And  the  many 
changes  and  metaphysical  refinements  in  theology,  of  which 
we  see  and  hear  so  much,  in  the  Presbyterian  and  Congre^^a- 
tional  churches,  are  but  so  many  efforts  to  keep  Calvinism  in 
countenance,  among  those  who  have  become  disgusted  with 
its  absurdities.  But  I  shall  not  stop  now  to  notice  the  many 
and  diversified  explanations  which  have  been  given  of  late,  to 
reconcile  the  idea  of  unconditional  election  and  reproba- 
tion with  the  language  of  the  Bible,  though  these  very  ex- 
planations nvight  be  introduced  here  as  most  convincing  evi- 
dence of  the  absurdity  of  the  doctrine. 

The  Lutherans,  are  so  called  because  of  their  following 
the  opinions  of  Martin  Luther,  the  celebrated  reformer  of 
the  church,  in  the  sixteenth  century.     This  great  and  gaod 


23^  HELPS    TO   THli;    STUDY 

man  was  a  native  of  Eisleben,  in  Saxony,  and  was  born  in 
the  year  1483.  Many  zealous  champions  in  the  ministry, 
Maximilean  the  emperor,  the  court  of  Rome,  and  the  Devil 
himself,  were  all  up  in  arms  against  Luther,  when  he  engaged 
in  the  glorious  work  of  reform. 

As  it  respects  the  doctrinal  system  of  the  Lutherans,  they 
oppose  the  doctrine  of  freewill, — maintain  predestination  in 
a  certain  sense,  and  assert  our  justification  to  be  solely  by  tlve 
imputation  of  the  merits  of  Christ.  Buck  says,  'Hhe  Lu- 
therans, of  all  protestants,  are  said  to  differ  least  from  tlie 
Romish  church;  as  they  affirm  that  the  body  of  Christ,  and 
blood  ^Tt  materially  present  in  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
supper,  though  in  an  incomprehensible  manner. '^  See  also 
Mosheim's  Church  History,  and  the  life  of  Luther. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterians,  are  a  body  of  people 
who  reside  mostly  in  the  states  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee. 
Missouri,  and  in  the  territory  of  Arkansas.  They  constitute 
a  church  separate  from  the  general  Presbyterian  church,  and 
seem  to  have  organized  on  the  10th  of  February,  1810.  This 
separation  from  the  mother  church,  took  place  during  the 
great  revival  in  the  west  in  the  year  1800. 

This  church  was  constituted  by  Samuel  M'Adovv,  Finis 
Ewing,  and  Samuel  King,  regularly  ordained  ministers  in 
the  oid  Presbyterian  church.  These  men  seem  to  have 
thought  that  the  old  church  was  too  strict,  in  that  she  requir- 
ed certain  literary  attainments  on  the  part  of  young  men, 
before  she  would  license  them  to  preach;  and  on  this  ac- 
count, they  determined  on  this  separate  organization  With 
respect  to  doctrines,  the  Cumberlands  hold  to  all  the  doc- 
trines of  the  old  church,  save  that  of  unconditional  election 
and  reprobation.  Their  church  government,  with  some 
slight  alterations,  is  the  same. 

The  Quakers,  a  people  who  took  their  rise  in  England, 
about  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  were  so  called 
by  their  enemies;  but  they  called  themselves' *Vee/^er5  at  first, 
and  afterv/ards  assumed  the  appellation  of  Friends.  The 
venerable  George  Fox  seems  to  have  been  their  first  founder; 
but,  after  his  day,  Penn  and  Barklay,  gave  to  their  church  a 
more  solid  form. 

The  doctrines  of  these  people  have  been  variously  repre- 
sented; and  some  have  charged  them  with  being  favorable  to 
Socinianism,  or  with  denying  the  divinity  of  Christ.  This 
charge  Penn  says,  is  false  and  slanderous.  In  regard  to  the 
leading  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  the  Quakers  agree  in  common 


OP  PRESBTTEKIANISM.  237 

wlih  other  professors  of  the  Christian  name.  They  are  op- 
posed to  oaths,  and  they  are  against  war,  both  offensive  and 
defensive. 

They  are  opposed  to  the  custom  of  speaking  to  a  single  per- 
son in  the  plural  number;  and  they  are  opposed  to  regarding 
one  day  as  more  sacred  than  another.  Generally,  the  Qua- 
kers are  so  straight,  that  like  tlie  Indian's  tree,  they  lean 
over! 

In  the  United  States,  the  Quakers  are  divided  into  the  Or- 
thodox, and  Hicksites,  or  followers  of  the  late  Elias  Hicks. 
The  latter  are  considered  as  having  departed  from  the  origin- 
al doctrines  of  the  Quakers,  and  from  the  leading  doctrines 
of  Christianity,  as  held  by  protestant  christians  in  general. 

Reader,  I  have  given  you  a  very  brief  sketch  of  the  de- 
nominations of  christians,  which  are  most  common  in  our 
country.  Do  you  wish  to  know  with  which  you  ought  to 
unite?  Study  well  your  Bible,  and  form  opinions  of  your 
own,  as  to  the  doctrines  it  contains.  Then  enquire  whose 
Articles  of  Faith  best  agree  with  your  views  of  gospel  truth. 
The  Bible  is  the  only  infallible  standard  of  christian  doc- 
trines. To  this  let  us  ever  appeal  as  the  supreme  judge  of 
all  controversies  about  christian  faith  and  practice.  By  this 
standard  let  all  doctrines  be  tried,  our  views  guided,  and  our 
consciences  ruled. 

However,  those  professedly  learned  divines,  whose  doc- 
trines are  not  very  popular,  will  urge,  as  they  have  been  ac- 
customed to  do,  that  neither  the  unlearned  preacner  nor  read- 
er, can  understand  the  S2riptures.  If  you  are  unlearned 
reader,  in  the  science  and  philosophy  of  men,  tell  such  to  re- 
member that  those  reverend  philosophers  who  composed  the 
West  Minster  Confession  of  Faith  declare,  that  the  scriptures 
are  so  plain  'Hhat  not  only  the  learned  but  the  unlearned, 
by  a  due  use  of  the  ordinary  means  may  attain  to  a  suf- 
piciENT  understanding  of  themP'' 

I  desire  to  put  you  on  your  guard  against  those  who  are  so 
anxious  to  make  proselytes  to  their  church,  that  they  do  not 
exhibit  their  doctrines,  as  they  really  are.  They  may  per- 
haps attempt  to  flatter  your  vanity,  or  they  may  promise  to 
promote  your  interest  in  some  way.  Are  they  Methodists? 
— Get  their  Book  of  Discipline  as  published  by  their  Gen- 
eral Conference,  and  examine  their  sentiments.  Are  they 
Presbyterians  or  Hopkinsians? — Get  their  Confession  of 
Faith,  as  amended  and  ratified  by  their  General  Assem- 
bly, of  1S21.  Are  they  Baptists  or  Congregationalists?^ — > 
Get  their  Articles,  as  published  from  time  to  time  by  theiF 


238  HELPS   TO   THE   STUDY 

General  Associations  and  Consociations,  and  examine 
their  sentiments.  Are  they  Lutherans? — Get  their  Articles^ 
and  examine  their  system.  Are  they  Cumberland  Presbyte- 
rians?— Get  their  Confession  of  Faith,  or  Ewing\s  Lee- 
iu7^es,  or  some  other  standard  work  of  theirs,  as  acknowledg- 
ed by  their  General  Synod,  and  examine  into  the  nature  of 
their  church  government  and  doctrinal  system.  Are  they 
Quakers? — Get  their  Standard  Writings,  as  acknowledged 
by  their  Yearly  Meetings,  and  examine  their  sentiments. 
And  so  by  every  other  sect.  It  is  not  for  the  faith  of  a  ie.w 
individuals  you  should  inquire,  but  for  the  faith  of  the  great 
body  of  ministers  and  ruling  members  of  the  church.  What 
are  the  doctrines  which  the  proper  authorities  of  the  church 
have  agreed  on,  and  published  to  the  world?  This  is  properly 
the  creed  of  the  churches  to  which  they  belong. 

Are  you  aware,  that  when  you  join  any  church,  you  do  in 
fact  espouse  all  the  doctrines  by  which  that  church  is  distin- 
guished? So  thepubhc  certainly  understand  it.  Objections 
repeatedly  urged  against  the  objectionable  features  of  a  certain 
system,  amount  to  nothing,  except  to  show  our  inconsistency. 
But  have  not  these  churches  altered  their  sentiments  since  the 
publication  of  their  standard  works?  When  they  shall  have 
publicly  renounced  what  they  have  again  and  again  publish- 
ed, we  shall  think  they  have  indeed  altered  their  sentiments^ 
but  not  till  then. 

Once  more:  It  is  presumed  every  church  has  a  system  of 
discipline  as  well  as  articles  of  faith.  Examine  that  sys- 
tem, and  examine  it  closely.  If  any  say  they  have  no  discip- 
line, it  will  be  well  for  you  to  consider  whether  any  person 
ought  to  join  such  a  church.  And  it  may  not  be  amiss  to 
consider,  whether  it  is  proper  to  ^ ^solemnly  covenanf'  to 
walk  with  any  particlar  church,  and  support  its  doctrines  and 
polity,  "50  lo7ig  as  you  may  live.''  Hereafter  you  may  pos- 
sibly discover  that  its  doctrines  were  not  true,  and  its  polity 
not  scriptural:  you  could  not  withdraw  from  it  without  being 
regarded  as  a  covenant  breaker,  or  a  false  swearer.  Take 
care  then  how  you  entangle  your  conscience !  If  you  do  not 
believe  in  the  doctrines  which  are  held  by  this  or  that  par- 
ticular church,  I  beseech  you  not  to  profess  to  believe  them. 
There  is  no  compulsion  in  a  free  country.  And  certainly,  if 
there  be  any  thing  concerning  which  we  ought  to  manifest 
honesty  and  candor,  it  is  religion.  And  however  popular 
error  may  be,  you  should  reject  it;  and  however  impopular 
truth  may  be,  you  should  embrace  it,  and  with  a  holy  auster- 
ity espouse  it, — fearless  too,  of  consequences. 


OF  PRESBTTERIANISM.  239 

Friendly  reader,  ascertain,  if  possible,  what  is  truth,  and 
where  you  can  get  the  most  good,  and  at  the  same  time  do  the 
most  good; — that  is  the  place  for  you. 

Praying  the  Great  Head  of  the  church,  to  direct  and  guide 
you  to  the  best,  and  safest  results,  I  remain  yours,  reader,  in 
the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus. 


li 


A  ^  ARRATIVE 

OF    THE 

lilFE,  TRAVELS,  AND  CIRCUMSTAIVCES  INCIDENT  THERETO, 

OF 


Few  persons,  who  have  arrived  at  any  degree  of  eminence 
in  life,  have  written  memorials  of  themselves,  that  is,  such  as 
have  embraced  both  their  private  and  public  life;  but  many, 
very  many,  who  never  arose  to  any  thing  like  eminence  in 
this  life,  have  written  such  memorials  of  themselves;  there- 
fore, knowing  as  I  do,  that  I  have  never  arisen  to  any  thing 
like  eminence,  and  that  it  is  the  custom  of  such  only,  to  write 
out  a  full  history  of  themselves,  I  proceed  to  the  performance 
of  the  task.  However,  the  public  transactions  of  many  great 
men,  have  been  recorded  by  their  contemporaries  or  them- 
selves, apparently  too  with  the  best  of  motives:  but  why  such 
and  such  things  occurred,  and  are  thus  recorded;  and  to/ii/ 
such  and  such  other  events  which  are  not  related,  have  been 
passed  by  in  silence,  we  are  rarely  told. 

Now,  I  maintain,  that  the  bad  as  well  as  the  good  acts  of  a 
man  should  be  related;  and  then,  the  reader,  having  the  whole 
man  before  him,  is  the  better  prepared  to  award  to  him  a 
righteous  verdict.  But  it  will,,  perhaps,  be  urged,  that  a  man 
should  so  conduct  himself  as  to  be  wholly  free  from  impro- 
prieties,— especially  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  To  this  I 
reply,  that  if  the  memoirs  of  only  such  as  have  lived  and  died 
without  fault,  were  written,  we  should  seldom,  if  ever,  see  a 
production  of  the  kind. 

But  if  there  be  more  evil  than  good  attached  to  a  man,  what 
are  we  to  do?  Why,  put  your  veto  upon  him,  and  determine 
not  to  follow  his  footsteps.  But  what  shall  we  do  when  there 
is  more  good  than  evil  attached  to  the  life  and  travels  of  a 
man?  Why,  faithfully  relate  the  whole,  and  then  profit  by 
his  example,  in  that  he  has  done  good.  But  when  the  scale 
is  so  perfectly  poised  that  neither  end  preponderates,  what 
shall  we  do?     Why,  balance  accounts  and  strike  off  even! 

Few  men  can  be  said  to  have  ininiitable  )i?a:c6//criC2V*,  orin- 
V 


343  A   JTARRATIYE 

imitable  failings;  let  us  watch  them  in  their  progress  from 
infancy  to  manhood,  and  we  shall  soon  be  convinced  that 
while  we  imitate  their  virtues,  we  should  shun  their  vices, 
l^'hen  to  profit  by  thepastlivesandconduct  of  others,  we  should 
exhibit  them  in  full.  This  done,  we  cannot  fail  to  receive 
benefit  by  an  attentive  perusal  oi  what  has  past,  unless  we  are 
"such  as  cannot  teach,  and  will  not  learn." 

That  a  man,  engaged  solely  in  the  work  of  propagating 
Christianity— in  carrying  the  light  of  the  gospel  among  the 
people — in  opposing  error,  and  defending  the  cause  of  truth — ■ 
and,  finally,  in  going  about  like  his  Saviour,  endeavoring  to 
do  good  to  all,  should  find  himself  exposed  to  enemies,  or 
should  meet  with  opposition,  may  seem  strange!  But  history 
and  observation  inform  us,  that  this  has  been  the  lot  of  all 
public  men,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree.  While  some  embla- 
zon a  man's  virtues,  others  will  amplify  his  faults.  A  ma- 
jority, however,  labor, 

•'The  strug-gling"  pangs  of  conscious  truth  to  hide, 
To  quench  the  blushes  of  ing-enuous  shame," 

rather  than  pursue  the  opposite  course;  and,  it  is  not  unlikely;, 
that  on  this  account,  so  few  public  characters  have  justice 
done  them. 

Again:  While  the  shafts  of  unmerited  censure  are  hurled 
against  some  men,  and  thej  are  doomed  to  bear  the  base  in- 
sinuations of  invidious  tongues,  they  nevertheless  rise  to 
victorious  eminence,  having  to  all  appearance,  taken  fresh 
courage  from  the  circumstance!  But  alas  for  others !  they 
seem  to  sink  beneath  the  load,  and,  with  the  poet  they  are 
ready  to  exclaim :  .^ 

"While  sorrow's  encompass  me  round, 

And  endless  distresses  I  see; 
Astonish'd  I  cry!  can  a  mortal  be  found. 
That's  surrounded  with  troubles  like  me  ?" 

Perhaps  it  may  be  asked,  who  is  the  person  that  offers  this 
volume  to  the  world?  In  this  the  inquisitive  reader  shall  be 
gratified,  for  short  and  simple  are  the  domestic  annals  of  one 
who  has  not  even  reached  his  thirtieth  year.  I  am  the  eldest 
son  of  Joseph  A.  Brownlow,  who  was  born  and  raised  in 
Rockbridge  county,  in  Virginia,  in  the  year  1781,  and  died 
in  Blountville,  in  Tennessee,  in  the  year  1816.  My  father 
died  when  I  was  so  young,  that  I  could  not  have  been  a  judge 
of  his  character; — but  it  has  been  a  source  of  comfort  to  me, 
to  hear  him  spoken  of  by  his  old  associates,  as  a  man  of  good 
sense,  brave  independence,  and  great  integrity. 

The  death  of  my  father,  was  a  grievous  affliction  to  mj 


OF  THE   IIFE,    &C.  233 

mother,  as  she  was  left  with  jBve  helpless  children,  three  sons 
and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  still  living.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Catharine  Ganaway,  a  Virginian  likewise,  and 
of  respectable  parentage.  But  she  departed  this  transitory 
life,  in  less  than  three  months  after  the  death  of  her  husband. 
Being  naturally  mild  and  agreeable  in  her  temperament,  she 
was  strongly  endeared  to  a  large  circle  of  iriends  and  acquain- 
tances. But  their  consolation  is  m  this,  that  when  sinking 
into  the  cold  embrace  of  death,  she  was  happy  in  the  religion 
of  Christ. 

However,  accounts  of  the  parentage  of  a  man,  unless  con- 
nected with  some  very  peculiar  circumstances,  are  generally 
uninteresting;  and  more  particularly,  when  their  names  are 
not  intimately  interwoven  with  the  history  of  their  own 
country,  or  of  any  other.  Beside  this,  if  a  man's  parents, 
whether  dead  or  alive,  are  known  to  have  possessed  great 
merits,  they  will  be  appreciated,  and  therefore  need  not  to  be 
blazoned  by  the  pen  of  eulogy. 

I  was  born  (and  chiefly  raised)  in  Wythe  county,  in  Vir- 
ginia. After  the  death  of  my  parents,  I  lived  with  my 
mother's  relations,  till  within  three  years  of  the  time  I  joined 
the  Methodist  itinerancy,  and  was  appointed  to  labor  as  a  cir- 
cuit preacher.  I  ran  say, — and  I  think  it  my  duty  not  to 
pass  over  the  fact  in  this  brief  narrative, — that  I  feel  towards 
those  relations  for  their  paternal  care  over  me,  a  degree  of 
gratitude  and  affection,  which  can  only  spring  from  the  laws 
of  nature,  and  the  social  relations  of  life. 

As  to  the  days  of  my  childhood,  they  passed  away  as  those 
of  other  children,  carrying  with  them  the  pleasures  and  pains, 
common  to  that  season.  I  could,  however,  relate  many  in- 
teresting incidents,  connected  with  the  history  of  my  boy- 
hood: but  lest  I  justly  incur  the  charge  of  egotism,  I  will  pass 
them  by  in  silence. 

At  a  very  early  period  of  my  life  I  had  impressions  of  a 
religious  nature,  which  were  never  erased  from  my  mind; 
and  though  I  made  no  profession  of  religion  until  1  arrived 
within  two  years  of  mature  age,  and  was  even  rude,  yet,  I  had 
the  utmost  respect  for  professors  of  religion,  and  particularly 
ministers  of  the  gospel. 

During  the  month  of  September,  in  the  year  1825,  at  which 
time  I  resided  in  Abingdon,  I  attended  a  camp-meeting,  at 
the  Sulpher  springs,  twenty  miles  east  of  that,  when  it  pleased 
God  to  give  me  the  witness  of  the  Spirit.  There  is  a  con- 
centration of  feeling, — a  glow  of  fancy,— I  may  say  of  reli- 
gious aflfection,  connected  with  the  recollection  of  that  circum* 


244  A   NARRATITE 

stance,  which  I  delight  to  enjoy.  It  was  here  I  felt  the  Lord 
gracious,  and  was  enabled  to  shout  aloud  the  wonders  of  re- 
deeming love.  All  my  anxieties  were  then  at  an  end — all  my 
hopes  were  realized — my  happiness  was  complete.  From 
this  time  I  began  to  feel  an  increasing  desire  for  the  salvation 
of  sinners;  and  in  order,  more  effectually,  to  engage  in  this 
work,  I  returned  to  Wythe,  and  spent  the  ensuing  year  in  go- 
ing to  school  to  William  Horne,  an  amiable  young  man^ 
and  a  fine  scholar,  who,  poor  fellow !  has  long  since  gone  to 
his  long  home. 

My  education  was  plain,  though  regular  in  those  branches 
taught  in  common  schools.  And  even  now,  though  1  have 
endeavored  to  study  one  science  after  another,  and  have  been 
pouring  over  books,  pamphlets,  and  periodicals  of  every  de- 
scription, by  night  and  by  day,  for  the  last  nine  years,  my 
pretensions  are  of  the  most  humble  kind. 

At  the  second  regular  session  of  the  Holston  Annual  Con- 
ference, held  in  Abingdon,  Va.,  under  the  superintendence 
of  bishop  Soule,  in  the  fall  of  1826,  I  was  received  into  the 
travelling  connexion  on  trial,  and  appointed  to  the  Black 
mountain  circuit,  in  North  Carolina,  under  Goodson  Mc- 
Daniel.  I  had  now  to  exchange  the  company  of  affectionate 
friends,  for  the  society  of  persons  with  whom  I  had  no  ac- 
quaintance. This  was  a  most  affecting  time,  and  will  not 
soon  be  forgotten  by  the  writer.  I  entered  on  the  labors  of 
this  year  with  many  painful  apprehensions.  There  were  not 
a  few  on  this  circuit,  as  I  was  previously  informed,  whose 
minds  were  very  much  prejudiced  against  the  Methodists. 
And  to  my  astonishment,  upon  arriving  there,  I  found  our 
most  inveterate  foes  to  be  professors  of  Christianity!  They 
were  the  followers  of, an  old  man,  who  used  to  go  about 
^'preaching  in  the  wilderness  of  Judea,  and  saying,  repent  ye: 
for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand;" — and  who  had  <'his 
raiment  of  camel's  hair,  and  a  leathern  girdle  about  his  loins:"' 
his  ^'meaV  being  '^locusts  and  wild  honey;" — while  the 
people  flocked  to  him  from  *^all  the  region  round  about  Jordan, 
and  were  baptized  of  him  in  Jordan,  confessing  their  sins  I" 

I  allude  to  a  denomination  of  people  q.?\\^^  Baptists.  This 
was  my  first  acquaintance  with  these  people.  I  had  no  alter- 
cations with  any  of  them,  this  year;  nor  did  I  attend  their 
meetings,  only  when  our  appointments  clashed  at  those  union, 
or  gO'betioeen  meeting  houses.  One  of  those  meetings,  set 
apart  for  feet-iv ashing,  I  never  can  forget.  For,  never  did 
I,  before  or  since,  see  as  many  big  dirty  feet,  washed  in  one 
large  pewter  basin  full  of  water!     The  Baptists  are  a  people 


OT  THE   LIFE,    &C.  24S 

whose  theory  is  SO  narrow,  and  whose  creed  is  so  small,  that, 
like  their  shoes,  they  seem  to  have  been  made  for  their  exclu- 
sive use.  They  consider  themselves  deputed  from  heaven 
for  the  general  reformation  of  men  and  manners,  and  would 
try  all  men  at  their  bar.  They  are  amazed  to  find  that  any 
one  should  doubt  the  accuracy  of  their  system,  because  they 
are  satisfied  with  it.  Their  judgment  is  biassed,  and  resem- 
bles a  pair  of  scales  of  which  the  beam  is  forever  awry. 
General  society,  and  particular  religious  associations,  formed 
by  other  denominations,  are  so  imperfect,  they  cannotendure 
them;  and  in  the  investigation  of  their  laws  and  rules,  their 
aim  is,  not  to  enjoy  that  which  is  right,  but  to  exult  over  that 
which  is  wrong.  They  survey  creation  through  the  medium 
of  a  contracted  vision,  and  consequently  forget  that  they  are 
not  the  only  persons,  who  have  a  claim  upon  the  bounty  of 
the  skies.  They  pity  all  who  differ  from  their  persuasion, 
and  wonder  how  it  is  that  they  can  dream  of  being  right.,, 
They  revolve  in  a  circle  of  which  the  centre  is  themselves. 
Those  who  are  squeezed  in  with  them  are  the  lucky  few:  all 
without  are  dogs,  if  not  something  worse.  Unused  to  much 
thinking,  and  too  impatient  to  pursue  it,  petty  purposes,  and 
a  kind  of  pin's  head  policy  are  all  they  compass!  Still,  they 
are  struck  with  the  degeneracy  of  all  around  them!  In  these 
sweeping  censures  they  never  suspect  the  prejudices  of  their 
own  minds;  though  they  produce  a  jaundiced  yellowness  on 
all  they  inspect.  Of  the  truth  of  these  things  every  body 
is  sensible  but  themselves.  Well,  a  little  maggot  in  a  nut 
shell  might  come  to  the  same  conclusions,  and  for  a  similar 
reason,  because  the  little  thing  has  a  maggot^s  mind! 

The  only  misfortune  which  befel  me  this  )"ear,  was  that  of 
having  almost  froze  to  death,  on  the  26th  of  December.  Hav- 
ing led  my  nag  over  Cain  river,  on  the  ice,  I  proceeded  to 
cross  a  spur  of  tiie  Black  Mountain,  when,  I  suppose,  I  came 
as  near  freezing  to  death,  as  ever  any  poor  fellow  did,  to  es- 
cape. Indeed,  upon  arriving  at  a  small  cabin,  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  mountain,  I  was  so  benumbed  with  the  cold, 
that  I  was  not  only  perfectly  stupid,  but  extremely  sleepy. 
Here  I  began  to  discover,  that  in  exchanging  the  cold  and  sa- 
lubrious atmosphere  of  my  native  uplands  in  Virginia,  I  had 
not  gained  any  thing.  However,  there  is  no  finer  country 
in  the  summer  season,  than  Western  Carolina,  or  even  the 
State  of  Buncombe,  as  it  is  sometimes  called.  There  are 
few  places  in  the  world  which  can  vie  with  the  counties  of 
Buncombe  and  Burke,  in  beauty  and  novelty  of  scenery — 
the  extended  hill-side  fields,  rich  ridges,  beautiful  springs, 
v2 


H&  A  JTAKRATIVK 

mountain  coves,  high  conical  peaks,  and  astonishing  verdure 
covering  the  soil,  setoff  to  the  best  advantage,  the  lofty  Black 
mountain!  In  the  mean  time,  the  Table  Rock  is  in  the  vi- 
cinity; and  every  season,  the  summer  visiters  add  new  and 
increasing  interest,  in  their  pursuit  of  deer,  and  other  game. 

Although  we  did  not  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  seeing  hundreds 
converted  this  year,  yet,  we  had  every  reason  to  believe  that 
some  good  had  been  effected,  through  our  feeble  instrumen- 
tality. In  the  latter  part  of  the  year,  the  professors  seemed 
much  revived,  and  appeared  to  be  alive  to  God.  Upon  the 
whole,  in  taking  my  leave  of  the  circuit,  I  felt  safe,  well,  and 
happy  in  my  soul.  May  the  Lord  bless  the  good  people  of 
that  county ! 

1827. — In  the  fall  of  this  year,  our  conference  met  in  Knox- 
ville,  and  the  venerable  Bishop  Roberts  presided,  with  his 
usual  degree  of  cheerfulness  and  acceptability.  Here,  the 
recurrence  of  another  anniversary  occasion,  in  the  history  of 
our  conference,  called  for  the  warmest  expression  of  our 
gratitude  to  the  great  Head  of  the  church,  for  having  privi- 
leged us  once  more  to  mingle  our  praises  and  thanksgivings 
together.  I  will  name  one  circumstance  which  occurred  du- 
ring the  sitting  of  the  conference  in  Knoxville.  It  was  this: 
A  young  store  keeper,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
drew  up  a  subscription  paper,  and  was,  by  way  of  burlesque, 
going  about  trying  to  raise  money  to  have  my  likeness  taken  I 
I  was  called  on  to  know  if  I  would  subscribe!  I  replied  that  I 
would  subscribe  liberally,  if,  when  they  had  taken  my  like- 
ness, they  would  deposite  it  in  the  East  Tennessee  College, 
or  the  Seminary  at  Maryville,  for  the  inspection  of  Doctors 
Coffin  and  Anderson,  and  as  a  pattern  for  minister-making! 
This  reply,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  I  looked  bad,  was  indif- 
lerently  dressed,  and  had  on  a  very  old  fashioned  hat,  rather 
confused  the  young  Presbyterian. 

At  this  conference  1  was  appointed  to  French  Broad  cir- 
cuit, lying  mostly  above  Ashville,  in  North  Carolina,  under 
an  excellent  and  agreeable  little  man,  M.  E.  Kerr.  We  la- 
bored in  this  new  appointment  with  increasing  success  till 
the  ensumg  spring,  when  I  was  taken  by  my  presiding  elder, 
W.  S.  Manson,  to  travel  the  Maryville  circuit,  in  lieu  of 
James  Gumming,  then  absent  to  general  conference. 

Here  1  could  not  avoid  coming  into  contact  with  Anderson's 
young  divinity-shoots;  for  the  impetuous  little  bigots,  would 
assail  me  in  the  streets,  or  pursue  me  into  private  houses,  and 
commence  an  argument  on  natural  ability,  or  moral  inability, 
OT  the  impossibility  of  falling  from  grace.     I  fought  manful- 


or  THE  riTE,  &c.  247 

y,  and  did  the  very  best  I  could,  though  they  always  report- 
ed that  they  had  used  me  up.  I  remained  on  this  circuit  but 
three  months.  Among  the  many  circumstances  which  oc- 
curred during  my  short  stay  on  this  circuit,  I  will  only  name 
the  two  following: 

My  appointment  in  Maryville  happened  on  the  Sabbath  ©f 
the  Hopkinsian  sacrament,  held  at  their  camp-ground  near 
the  village;  and  as  I  had  previously  arranged  my  appoint- 
ment to  be  in  the  after  part  of  the  day,  I  attended  theirs,  and 
heard  them  preach  two  or  more  sermons.  Well,  an  inflated 
little  priest  by  the  name  of  Minis,  who  talked  pretty  much 
through  his  nose,  and  whose  head  seemed  buried  between 
his  shoulders,  apparently  to  make  way  for  the  protuberances 
of  his  back,  addressed  the  congregation  from  "I  would  that 
)-e  were  either  hot  or  cold,^'  &c.  In  the  elucidation  of  his 
subject,  he  went  on  to  show  that  the  Methodists  were  the 
lukewarm  whom  the  Lord  would  vomit  up,  &c.  &c.  He  al- 
so went  on  to  speak  of  our  fasting,  secret  prayers,  secret  meet- 
ings, and  of  our  down  looks,  and  manner  of  dress;  and  final- 
ly, he  represented  us  as  being  more  hideous  monsters,  than 
the  Sphinx  of  Egypt!  In  describing  the  cut  of  a  Methodist 
preacher's  coat,  and  trying  to  round  it  off  with  his  finger, 
he  seemed  so  exceedingly  awkward,  that  I  arose  from  my 
seat,  and  held  up  one  skirt  of  my  coat  saying.  Sir,  I  presume 
this  is  the  style  you  are  aiming  at!  This  confused  the  little 
man  so,  that  it  was  some  time  before  he  gotstarted  again.  Soon 
after  this,  myself  and  a  Mr.  Brown  of  the  Hopkinsian  or- 
der, happened  to  meet  on  Sabbath,  in  the  vicinity  of  a  little 
village  called  Louisville.  Although  Mr.  Brown  was  as  bad 
a  looking  man  as  I  am,  and  not  much  more  talented,  yet,  he 
affected  to  treat  me  with  great  contempt !  When  the  congre- 
gation had  assembled,  he  commenced  reading  his  hymn,  and 
as  I  thought  a  very  appropriate  one,  to  wit: 
*«How  sad  our  state  by  nature  is, 
.  Our  sin  how  deep  it  stains,  &.c." 

Having  prayed  a  long  dry  prayer,  he  proceeded  to  address  the 
people  from  these  words,  "For  God  so  loved  the  world,  that 
he  gave  his  only  begotten  son,"  &c.  Well,  having  divided 
his  subject  into  three  parts,  on  he  went,  preaching  to  a  mixed 
multitude,  in  the  most  lifeless  manner  imaginable.  After 
the  preacher  closed,  we  had  an  intermission  of  about  forty 
minutes,  when  I  endeavored  to  address  the  people  from  the 
same  subject.  And  as  he  had  tried  to  poke  his  fun  at  me, 
I  took  the  liberty  to  pay  him  back;  and  really,  when  I  was 
closing  my  remarks,  he  looked  to  me,  more  like  hard  times 


24b8  A  NARRATIVE 

abridged,  than  a  preacher  of  righteousness!     From  that  day 
to  this,  I  could  never  get  Brown  to  know  me. 

About  the  first  of  July,  I  took  my  leave  of  Blount  county^ 
and  returned  to  my  former  circuit.  Here  we  had  wars  and 
rumors  of  wars,  but  it  was  among  the  Hopkinsians.  During 
one  single  year,  no  fewer  than  five  clergymen  of  this  order, 
came  to  Buncombe  county,  in  quest  of  a  call.  Three  of 
them  struggled  and  fought  for  more  than  twelve  months. 
They  carried  their  disputes  so  far  as  to  indulge  in  the  most 
low  and  vulgar  personal  abuse,  disputing  and  quarrelling  even 
about  the  money  which  was  collected  in  hats  at  their  sacra- 
mental meetings!  One  of  them,  Bradshaw,  actually  claim- 
ed, and  kept  the  most  of  the  money.  Such  strivings  for  the 
mastery,  was  never  seen  in  that  country  before!  The  result 
was,  a  division  took  place  among  the  congregations,  some 
voting  for  one  preacher,  and  some  for  another.  And  the 
final  result  was,  that  many  of  the  people  determined  to  have 
nothing  more  to  do  with  any  of  them.  And  Hall,  the  most  fu- 
rious of  them  all,  fled  to  the  lower  part  of  the  State,  and  I  am 
told,  has  never  been  in  Buncombe  since.  Mooney,  another 
one  of  the  swarm,  visited  South  Carolina,  in  quest  of  a  call, 
and  has  chosen  to  remain  there.  How  shocked  must  people 
have  been  to  hear  preachers  incessantly  crying  out  that  their 
reign  was  not  of  this  world,  when  their  infirmities  were  such, 
that  they  could  not  forbear  quarrelling  about  a  little  money! 
But,  while  these  unfortunate  men  were  thus  disputing,  we 
Methodists  travelled  up  and  down  the  country,  and  endeavor- 
ed to  persuade  the  people  that  religion  was  the  one  thing 
needful.  Some  experienced  religion,  and  a  goodly  number 
were  added  to  our  church  this  year. 

There  is  no  finer  country,  in  the  summer  season,  than  that , 
about  the  head  waters  of  French  Broad.  There  the  clear 
streams  glide  with  smooth  serenity,  along  the  vallies;  and 
when  amidst  a  calm  summer's  sunshine,  they  glitter  to  the 
distant  view,  like  sheets  of  polished  crystal,  and  soothe  the 
attentive  ear,  with  the  softness  of  those  aquatic  murnfurs  so 
exhilirating  to  the  fancy.  But  0  the  huge  enormous  moun- 
tains! the  steep  and  dizzy  precipices;  the  pendant  horrors 
of  the  craggy  promontories — how  wild  and  awful  they  look  of 
a  rainy  evening! 

*'The  hoary  winter  here  conceals  from  sight 
All  pleasing  objects  that  to  verse  invite. 
The  hills  and  dales,  and  the  delightful  woods, 
The  flow'ry  plains,  and  silver-streaming  floods, 
By  snow  disguis'd  in  bright  confusion  lie, 
And  with  one  dazzling  waste  fatigue  the  eye." 


OF    THE  I.1FE,    &C.  249 

Who  can  ever  sufficiently  admire  the  immense  benignity 
of  the  Supreme  Disposer  of  events?  How  manifold  are  the 
mercies  of  God,  and  how  surprising  the  scenes  of  Providence . 
Adieu  to  those  scenes,  till  the  last  loud  trump  of  God  shall 
sound;  and  until  eruptions,  earthquakes,  comets,  and  light- 
nings, disgorge  their  blazing  magazines ! 

1828  —In  the  autumn  of  this  year,  our  annual  conference 
convened  in  Jonesborough,  and  bishop  Soule  again  presided, 
despatchina;  business  with  his  usual  promptness  and  accepta- 
bility.  In  his  sermon,  on  Sabbath,  he  certainly  tore  the  very 
hind-site  off  of  Calvinism ! 

At  this  conference,  I  received  deacon's  orders,  and  was  ap- 
pointed  to  travel   in  charge  of  the  Washington  circuit,  a 
small  circuit  in  the  lower  end  of  East  Tennessee.     Here,  1 
met  with  enemies,  and  for  a  time,  had  my  difficulties:  1  had  a 
law-suit  upon  my  hands,  against  potent  adversaries,  and  my 
all  depended  on  its  issue.     The  circumstances  of  the  case  1  will 
briefly  relate.     An  elder  in  the  Hopkinsian  church,  who  had 
long  been  distinguished  for  his  violent  opposition  to  Method- 
ism, and  particularly  Methodist  preachers,  made  an  unvvar- 
rantable  attack  on  me,  by  addressing  me  an  insulting  letter; 
requesting  an  immediate  reply  from  me,  and  a  prompt  avowai. 
or  disavowal  of  certain  hearsays,  mentioned  in  his  letter.    1  o 
this  communication  I  replied  with  some  degree  of  asperity. 
A  rejoinder  followed  on  the  part  of  my  adversary,  m  which 
he  called  me  a  puppy,  a  liar,  an  infidel,  a  fool,  &c.  &c.    _  lo 
all  this,  I  replied  with  a  degree  of  moderation,  though  in  a 
manner  not  very  pleasing  to  my  opponent.     He  tnen  pub- 
lished some  garbled  extracts  from  my  letters,  in  the  Calvin- 
istic  Magazine.     And  I  in  turn,  published  the  vvhole  corres- 
pondence in  pamphlet  form,  with  such  additional  remarks  as 
I  thought  necessary. 
^      My  friend,  then,  prompted  by  certain  other  leading  char- 
^'actersin  the   Hopkinsian   church,  as  he  himself  afterwards 
acknowledged,  instituted  a  suit  of  slander  against  me,  in  the 
superior  court  for  Rhea  county,  and  employed  two  able  l^w- 
^  vers  to  prosecute  the  same.     Well,  as  I  was  always  dispo^^ed 
^  to  stand  up  to  my  rack,  as  the  saying  is,  I  employed  able 
counsel  likewise— made  out  a  plea  of  justification  inJuU— 
subpoened  witnesses  near  at  hand— went  on  to  West  lennes- 
seetotake  the  depositions  of  others,— and  as  Crockett  says, 
prepared  to  go  ahead.     But,  when  the  day  of  trial  came  on, 
the  plaintiff,  for  reasons  best  known  to  Aim^e//  dismissed 
the  suit,  at  his  own  cost.    And  this  was  the  end  of  that  mat- 
ter; save  that,  the  Hopkinsians  have  uniformly  representee 


850  A  irAKRATITB 

me  as  the  aggressor,  and  as  having  been  oufed!  If  the  cu- 
rious reader  will  take  the  pains  to  enquire  of  his  honor^ 
Charles  F.  Keiths  or  of  any  one  of  my  counsel,  particularly 
Thomas  L.  Willia??is,  he  will  learn  that  it  was  not  the  de- 
fendant who  crawfished  out  of  this  aflfair. 
^  But  I  found  friends  here,  in  the  midst  of  all  my  embarrass- 
ments, whose  hospitality  and  friendly  conversation  cheered 
my  desponding  youth.  [For  during  the  winter  season,  I  had 
frequent  and  dangerous  swimming  of  water  courses,  in  the 
lower  end  of  the  circuit,  and,  to  say  nothing  of  my  other  pri- 
vations, great  mental  affliction.]  And  what  was  better  than 
all,  we  were  favored  on  parts  of  the  circuit,  with  some  drops 
of  mercy,  which  were  followed  up  with  reviving  showers  of 
divine  grace.  The  Lord  added  1o  our  numbers  greatly.  The 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  may  array  themselves  against 
the  Lord  and  his  anointed,  but  it  is  of  no  avail.  The  Lord 
phall  have  them  in  derision.  These  remarks  are  made  with 
gratitute  to  God,  for  the  success  that  crowned  my  feeble  efforts 
under  these  forbidding  circumstances. 

Here  it  was,  that  I  first  became  acquainted  with  the  people 
called  Cumberland  Presbyterians, — I  mean  personally  ac- 
quainted with  them.  The  leading  object  with  these  people, 
seems  to  be  that  of  proselyting  from  other  churches.  This  is 
a  most  shameful  practice.  If  these  people  were  as  anxious  to 
persuade  sinners  to  separate  from  the  ranks  of  the  devil,  and 
join  the  church  of  (iod,  as  they  are  to  proselyte  members  of 
other  churches  and  get  them  to  join  their  party — then  would 
they  exhibit  the  true  missionary  spirit.  This  was  the  first 
time  in  all  my  life,  I  ever  understood  that  men  were  called  of 
God,  and  ordained  b}'  the  church,  to  go  on  a  mission  to  con- 
vert those  who  had  previously  been  converted  \  As  a  Metho- 
dist preacher,  when  ever  this  shall  have  become  the  business 
of  my  life,  I  know  I  shall  appear  both  inconsistent  and  ridicu- 
lous in  the  eyes  of  every  man  of  sense. 

It  was  by  hearing  the  Cumberlands  preach,  that  I  become 
fully  convinced  of  the  superioi  advantages  of  short  sermons. 
Although  I  have  heard  many  of  them  preach,  I  do  not  recol- 
lect to  have  ever  heard  more  than  one  who  closed  till  he  was 
completely  out  of  strength,  words,  and  ideas!  This  is  a 
failing  which  attaches  itself  to  the  Baptist  and  Hopkinsian 
clergy  likewise.  Nor  are  all  the  Methodist  preachers  clear 
in  this  matter.  Too  many  ministers,  among  the  different 
denominations,  tell  all  they  know  in  one  sermon,  and  some  of 
tliem  tell  that  all  twice  in  the  same  discourse!  Others,  will 
hum  and  haw,  and  tell  what  they  intend  to  say,  and  negatively^ 


OF    THE    LIFE,    &c.  2Bi 

What  they  will  not  say,  and  apologize,  &c.  till  they  should  be 
half  done  preaching.  All  this  I  despise.  Indeed  there  are 
butfew  ministers,  if  any,  who  can  be  justified  in  preachine 
more  than  an  hour  on  cm?/  subject.  The  great  mass  of  the 
people,  in  every  part  of  our  country,  are  so  accustomed  to  hear- 
ing  the  gospel,  that  all  a  preacher  need  do  is,  to  give  the  lead- 
ing ideas  in  his  subject.  A  good  sermon  is  better  for  beinjr 
short,  and  to  make  a  sorry  sermon  long,  is  out  of  the  ques- 
tion !  In  a  word,  of  all  the  deaths  that  ever  any  people  died 
there  is  none  so  distressing  as  that  of  being  preached  to 
death! 

In  the   latter  part  of  October,    in  this  year,  I  visited  an 
uncle  of  mine,  who  then  lived  at  the  head  of  the  Muscle- 
Shoals  in  Alabama.   Curiosity,  or  a  desire  to  become  acquaint- 
ed  with  the  Indian  mode  of  living,  led  me  to  travel  through 
the  Cherokee  nation,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Tennessee  river. 
In  doing  so,  I  happened  one  night,  after  a  hard  day's  ride,  to 
reach  the  house  of  a  wealthy  Indian,  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist church,  where,  soon  after  my  arrival,  several  Methodist 
missionaries,  and  Indian  interpreters,   on  their  way  to   the 
Tennessee  Conference,  which  was  soon  to  convene  at  Hunts- 
Ville.     The  man  of  the  house,  in  addition  to  being  a  slave- 
holder, had  a  number  of  his  relatives  about  him,  living  mostly 
in  cabins;  so  that,  upon  the  whole,  the  yard  was  aUve  with 
human  beings!     This  was  an  interesting  night  to  me.     Tur- 
TLEFiELDs,  a  native  preacher,  held  prayers  for  us,  and  we  had 
a  feeling  time.     This  man  was  naturally  of  a  very  intrepid 
and  independent  spirit;  but,  when  engaged  in  the  worship  of 
God,  his  hon-like  fierceness  seemed  gradually  to  melt  down 
into  the  mildness  of  the  lamb.     After  closing  the  exercises 
of  the  evening,  I  retired  to  bed,  in  a  little  open  room,  and 
there  lay  musing  until  a  late  hour.     While  thus  occupied, 
sounds  and  circumstances  of  a  very  different  character,  again 
and  again  arrested  my  attention.     The  night  was  exceedino-W 
calm;  every  thing  around  me  wore  the  aspect  of  perfect  "Se- 
renity; while  the  stars,  with  their  usual  brightness,  glittered 
in  the  firmament.     But  amidst  this  pleasing  stillness,  so  fa- 
vorable to  contemplation,  I  heard  a  voice,  yea  voices;  and 
these  were  the  voices  of  a  few  poor  Indians,  who,  after  chat- 
ting around  their  evening  fires,  were  closing  the  day  with 
hymns  of  praise  and  united  prayer  to  heaven.     Had  any  been 
here  present,  who  are  at  all  doubtful  as  to  the  mind  of  an  In- 
dian being  susceptible  of  the  power  of  divine  grace,  I  doubt 
not  that  they  would  have  stood  confounded,  if  not  convinced. 
Since  that  time,  however,  I  have  attended  several  Methodist 


212  A  NARRATIVE 

meetings  in  the  Cherokee  nation,  and  at  several  of  them  I  have 
tried  to  preach.  It  is  not  less  pleasing  than  encouraging  to 
observe,  that  those  of  our  native  preachers  and  interpreters, 
who  are  truly  converted  to  God,  are  frequently  found  boldly, 
though  unostentatiously,  addressing  the  multitude  upon  divine 
subjects,  and  fearlessly  answering  th<i  objections  that  are 
urged  by  gainsayers  against  the  gospel.  The  substance  of 
our  sermons  being  familiarly  reiterated  by  them,  amidst  the 
different  groups  around,  the  seed  of  truth  is  much  more  exten- 
sively spread  abroad  than  even  the  missionary  himself  may  be 
ready  to  imagine.  By  this  means  a  kind  of  new  era  is  com- 
mencing in  our  Indian  missions;  so  that,  without  greatly  mul- 
tiplying missionaries  in  a  tribe,  we  shall  be  abje  to  meet  the 
wants  of  this  scattered  population;  and  without  great  expense 
promote  the  ever-blessed  gospel,  together  with  a  rapidly  in- 
creasing knowledge  of  the  English  language.  It  cannot  be 
otherwise  than  that  this  is  of  God;  and,  to  my  own  mind,  it 
appears  with  all  the  clearness  of  demonstration,  that  from 
year  to  year  God  is  working  out  good  for  the  Indians. 

But  it  is  not  by  means  of  these  men  only,  that  these  people 
are  zealously  assisting  us  in  the  grand  and  glorious  work  of 
evangelization:  the  great  Head  of  the  church  is  raising  up 
from  among  them,  men  also  to  proceed  with  the  everlasting 
gospel  in  their  hands,  to  the  savage  hordes  on  our  western 
frontiers.  Like  the  vine,  therefore,  the  church  is  here  spread- 
ing forth  her  branches  over  the  wall;  and  these  wandering  sons 
of  Ham  are  sitting  down  under  its  shade,  and  partaking  of 
its  fruit.     To  God  be  all  the  praise. 

Having  paid  my  visit  to  the  shoals,  I  returned  via  Hunts- 
ville,  Winchester,  Bellfonte,  and  Jasper.  I  remained  in 
Huntsville  during  the  week  of  conference,  and  was  much 
gratified  on  becoming  acquainted  with  many  of  the  members 
of  that  conference. 

1829. — In  the  fall  of  this  year,  our  conference  again  met 
in  Abingdon — Bishop  Soule  in  the  chair.  This  year  I  was 
appointed  alone  to  the  Athens  circuit.  At  an  early  period  in 
this  year,  I  had  occasion  to  call  at  the  seminary  in  Maryville, 
to  see  a  Methodist  student;  and  soon  after  I  had  entered  his 
room,  a  young  Hopkinsian  minister  slipped  the  following  note 
to  me,  under  the  lower  edge  of  the  door: 

«*Sir,— Are  you  not  fearful  that  you  will  break  some  of  the  old  rooster's 
eggs,  when  you  slip  into  this  institution  so  much  like  a  thief,  waiting  for 
an  opportunity  to  steal  something-? 

Your  humble  servant, 

Fbabiess." 


I 


OF    THE  IIFE,   &C.  253 

If  the  reader  has  perused  the  whole  of  this  work,  he  will 
understand  the  allusion  to  the  <<eggs,"  and  will  consequently 
be  prepared  to  make  the  necessary  allowance  for  the  severity 
of  my  reply.  There  being  a  table,  pen,  ink  and  paper,  all 
just  at  hand,  I  immediately  seated  myself,  and  returned  the 
parson  the  following  answer: 

*' Sitting  in  the  south  west  corner  of  the  Factory! 
RsvEnEKD  sir: 

In  answer  to  your  note  just  received,  I  have  to  observe,  that  I  am 
not  in  any  dread  of  breaking  the  egg's  to  which  you  alkide,  or  of  my  do- 
ing- any  mischief;  for  I  presume  the  old  Rooster^  is  capable  of  taking  care 
of  his  KEST.  As  to  my  slipping  "into  this  institution  so  much  hke  a  thief, 
waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  steal  something,"  1  would  say,  as  Paul  did 
by  being  a  Roman,  when  in  Rome,  he.  Yes  sir,  when  I  am  among  thieves 
and  robbers,  1  usually  slip  and  slide  about  as  they  do! 
y GUI'S,  &c. 

Peter  THUJri)ERGUD6Eo>',  the  crowbar  grinder." 

Now,  that  mildness,  meekness,  and  gentleness  of  disposi- 
tion, should  characterize  every  minister  of  the  gospel,  is  a  fact 
which  no  one  will  doubt;  but  that  these  graces  can  only  be 
inspired  in  a  naturally  amiable  and  somewhat  refined  mind, 
by  the  sanctifying  influences  of  Christianity  upon  the  heart, 
is  equally  true.  And  it  is  doubtless  this  commendable  quali- 
ty of  the  heart,  this  meekness  and  gentleness  of  conduct, 
which  so  completely  removes  the  Methodist  ministry,  from 
that  haughty  demeanor  so  characteristic  of  the  Hopkinsian 
clergy,  or  of  an  unsubdued  mind  swelled  with  a  false  notion 
of  superiority  over  its  fellows,  and  which  betrays  its  pos- 
sessor into  so  many  inconsistencies  of  conduct.  While  we 
instinctively  turn  with  disgust  from  the  man  who  assumes  to 
himself  the  claim  of  a  dictator,  and  betrays  on  all  occasions 
the  vanity  of  his  own  mind  by  a  supercilious  contempt  of 
others,  we  as  naturally  bow  before  the  virtues  of  him  who  in 
his  intercourse  with  his  associates  evinces  a  suitable  deference 
to  their  opinions,  and  manifests  that  meekness  and  diffidence 
which  arises  from  a  thorough  knowledge  of  his  own  heart. 
But  these  virtues  only  shine  forth  in  the  conduct  of  the  foi-, 
lowers  of  Him  who  said,  "Learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and 
lowly  of  heart.'^ 

During  this  year,  a  high-toned  professor  of  religion  in 
Athens,  and  a  member  of  the  church  of  Christ,  named  2idog 
after  me?  In  this,  the  Hopkinsians  of  Athens,  considered 
they  had  completely  over-matched  me.  As  1  rode  through 
town  one  evening,  in  the  midst  of  a  company  of  them,  I  was 
enquired  of  as  follows:  "Brownlow,  did  you  know  that  the 
W 


254  A  NARRATIVE 

Hopkinsians  of  this  place  had  called  a  dog  after  you?"  I  re* 
plied  that  1  had  understood  so.  Said  the  gentleman,  *«Well^ 
what  do  you  think  of  it?"  0  said  I,  if  the  dog  is  good  pluck, 
and  will  hang  to  a  hog  when  set  on,  &c.  I  have  no  objection  to 
his  being  called  after  me,  but  if  the  dog  is  cowardly  I  shall 
not  own  him  as  a  name-sake;  for  continued  I,  when  I  take 
after  a  Hopkinsian  shoatj  I  make  him  charge  and  squeal  all 
over  the  village.  This  caused  the  by-standers  to  laugh,  but 
at  the  expense  of  the  owner  of  the  dog. 

Here,  also,  a  violent  attack  was  made  on  the  institutions  of 
our  church,  by  a  Hopkinsian  minister,  who  wrote  in  defence 
of  the  national  societies,  in  the  "Hiwassean  and  Athens 
Gazette,"  a  scurrilous  little  paper,  under  Hopkinsian  influ- 
ence. To  some  of  the  many  false  statements  and  insinuations 
of  this  writer,  I  replied  in  an  article  of  some  length.  He 
continued  to  write,  and  I  to  answer  him;  but  alas!  the  editor 
bf  the  paper  refused  to  publish  for  me,  on  the  alledged 
ground,  that  he  did  not  wish  to  admit  into  his  columns  any 
thing  like  religious  controversy.  Still  the  Hopkinsian  min- 
ister wrote  on ! 

Not  long  after  this,  however,  ihxs  conscientious  Q^ilov  ad- 
mitted some  very  severe  anonymous  articles  mto  his  columns 
against  me,  written  by  a  Hopkinsian  minister  and  physician, 
sometimes  called  Lord  Hackberr^y!  Poor  fellow!  he  has 
had  his  troubles  since  that.  Subsequent  events  authorise  me 
to  address  this  man  in  the  following  language: — 

*'Your  heart  is  gall — your  tongue  is  fire — 
Your  soul  too  hose  for  generous  ire — 
Your  sword  too  keen  for  noble  use — 
Your  shield  and  buckler  are — abuse" 

Within  the  last  four  years,  there  have  been  many  such 
anonymous  pieces  published  against  me;  generally  too  by  Cal- 
vinistic  writers.  But  nothing  looks  more  cowardly,  than  for 
an  individual,  or  set  of  individuals,  to  be  firing  at  a  man  in 
this  way.  And  indeed,  none  hide  themselves  under  fictitious 
names,  or  appear  without  any  name  at  all,  but  those  who  pub- 
lish things  of  which  they  are  ashamed.  The  only  protection 
a  nameless  scribbler  can  claim  or  expect,  is,  either  his  worth- 
lessness,  or  the  dark  mantle  in  which  he  shrouds  himself. 
And  it  is  well  for  many  of  these  anonymous  writers,  that 
their  names  are  thus  concealed;  for  if  they  were  really 
known,  in  many  instances,  they  would  have  less  credit  for 
their  statements.  Such  a  course  betrays  a  dastardly  spirit:  it 
is  the  resource  of  one  who  wants  courage  to  avow  his  designs. 
All  such,  however,  can  peal  away  at  me,  without  being  in  any 


or  THB  XIFB,   &c.  255 

way  interrupted;  for  it  does  not  comport  with  my  views  of 
self-respect  to  wage  even  a  defensive  war  with  a  misnomer. 
For  what  I  publish,  my  name  is  given  as  a  voucher — for  the 
truth  or  falsehood  of  the  same,  myself  am  held  respon- 
sible. 

If  a  man's  cause  be  a  good  one,  why  should  he  hide  his  face 
behind  the  curtain  of  secrecy?.    Does  honesty  need  conceal- 
ment?    Do  virtuous  actions  shun  the  pure  and  open  light  of 
dav?     Does  honor — does  religion  seek  to  hide  behind  the 
mantle  of  night?     No!  No!!  virtue,  pure  and  unsullied  vir- 
tue delights  to  bask  in  the  sunshine  of  Heaven,  and  nothing 
is  farther  from  real  rectitude  of  conduct  than  concea/^en^. 
Concealment  is  the  companion  of  guilt;  together  they  walk 
tlie  gloomy  path  of  crime  and  calumny;  together  they  guide 
the  assassin's  dagger  to  the  heart  of  the  unconscious  victim; 
and  together  laugh  at  the  awful  flames,  that  ascend  in  curling 
wreaths  over  the  head  of  defenceless  innocence.     Nor  is  it 
at  all  unreasonable  to  suppose,   that  where  things  look  thus 
dark  and  mysterious,  there  is  something  ^^rotten  in  the  state 
of  Denmark!"     How  ridiculous  for  men  of  honorable  pre- 
tensions to  act  thus!     But  how  much  more  so  for  m.en  who 
are  engaged  in  the  sacred  exercises  of  the  pulpit,  proclaiming 
the  will  of  God  concerning  man,  to  act  thus!     What!  a  man 
clothed  in  the  reverential  habiliments  of  a  minister,  who  oc- 
cupies a  stand  as  the  representative  of  the  Almighty,   and 
professes  to  be  the  organ  of  truth  and  righteousness,   to  de- 
o-rade  his  character  and  profession,  by  stooping  to  the  low  and 
dirty  practice  of  secret  slander!     Yet,  hypocritical  and  un- 
principled as   the  practice  is,  a  Hopkinsian   minister   acted 
quite  a  conspicuous  part  in  it,  on  the  occasion  to  which  I 
have  special  reference.     Shameful!    Worse  than  ridiculous! ! 
Cromwell,  0  thou  monster!  blush  at  this  conduct.     Nero,  0 
thou  bloody  monster!  rebuke  such  ministers.     Thou  Inquisi- 
tion of  Spain,  turn  pale  at  the  bare  mention  of  this  prostitu- 
tion of  the  sacred  office!     Of  all  the  abominations  that  dis- 
grace and  dishonor  the  ministry  in  these  portentous  times,  I 
know  nothing  more  deserving  of  reprobation,  than  the  pros- 
titution of  the  sacred  functions,  for  purposes  so  base! 

On  this  circuit,  during  this  year,  we  had  a  considerable  re- 
vival in  our  churcli.  In  short,  the  fallow  ground  of  many  a 
heart,  there  is  reason  to  believe,  was  broken  up  and  the  seed 
^wnin  righteousness,  which  brought  forth  fruit  to  the  honor 
and  glory  of  God.  This,  to  me,  was  truly  refreshing,  after 
having  encountered  those  severe  trials  the  year  before.  It  was 
meeting  with  a  verdant  Oasis  in  the  midst  of  an  African 


256  A   XARRATIVB 

desert,  or  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land.  It  was 
like  the  dew  of  Hermon  sweetly  distilling  upon  the  moun- 
tain of  Zion;  and  many  of  the  hospitable  members,  and 
worthy  local  preachers  of  that  circuit,  can  bear  witness  that 
"there  the  Lord  commanded  ablessingjcven  life  for  evermore.'^ 
I  feel  grateful  to  my  friends  and  acquaintances  on  the 
Athens  circuit,  for  the  courtesies  I  received  from  them,  but 
more  so  to  that  being  who,  in  his  infinite  mercy,  has  protect^ 
ed  me  in  every  peril;  and  to  whom  I  now  say: 

* 'For  this,  my  life,  in  every  state, 

A  life  of  praise  shall  be; 

And  death,  when  death  shall  be  my  fate, 

Shalljoin  mysoulto  THEE." 

1830. — About  the  last  of  October,  m  this  year,  our  con- 
ference met  at  Ebenezer  in  Greene  county.  Bishops  M^Ken- 
dree  and  Soule  were  both  present — the  latter  presided.  At 
this  conference  I  received  elder's  orders,  and  was  appointed 
to  travel  in  charge  of  the  Tellico  circuit,  in  the  Hivvassee 
district.  For  the  first  three  or  four  tours  round  this  circuity 
I  labored  with  increasing  success,  but  it  was  not  long  till  I 
discovered  there  were  some  stumbling-blocks  in  some  of  the 
societies,  or  obstacles  to  the  influence  of  religion,  which  it 
was  necessary  to  remove.  Hence,  I  set  about  the  work  of 
reform;  and  in  a  very  short  time,  I  had  not  only  ascertained 
the  real  state  of  the  societies,  but  as  I  believe,  actually  better- 
ed their  condition.  In  the  little  town  of  Madisonville,  there 
were  several  malcontents  belonging  to  our  society,  who 
gave  us  some  trouble  before  we  could  get  rid  of  them. 

The  exercise  of  proper  discipline  in  the  church  requires 
much  wisdom,  and  not  a  little  fortitude;  and  in  proportion  to 
the  disordered  state  in  which  a  minister  may  find  that  part  of 
the  Lord's  vineyard  he  is  called  to  labor  in,  will  be  his  diffi- 
culty :  generally  those  who  are  accustomed  to  break  our  rules,, 
do  so  from  a  secret  repugnance  to  them — the  lukewarm  and 
the  worldly-minded  respect  the  rules  of  the  church  so  far  as 
they  suit  their  convenience;  and  it  is  not  always  the  case  that 
men  have  influence  in  a  church  in  consequence  of  their  more 
exalted  piety.  The  duty  of  the  minister,  however,  lies  plain 
before  his  eyes:  let  him  scrupulously  and  vigilantly  regard 
the  honor  of  God,  and  the  prosperity  of  his  cause,  rather 
than  any  man's  person,  though  he  may  have  on  ''gay  cloth- 
ing:'' 

In  the  town  of  Madisonville,  the  Methodists,  Baptists  and 
Hopkinsians,  all  had  their  separate  houses  for  worship;  and 
it  was  not  an  uncommon  thing  for  them  all  to  be  hymning 


OF  THE   ilFE,    &C.  257 

the  praises  of  their  maker  at  once.  This  was  as  it  should 
Jiave  been:  let  each  and  ev^ery  denomination  have  their  own 
house  of  worship,  and  attend  to  theirown  business; and  then, 
to  use  a  vulgar  saying,  let  the  longest  pole  take  the  pe7'sim' 
?no}is. 

Here,  again,  I  was  somewhat  annoyed  by  those  people 
called  Baptists.  It  is  true  they  were  not  very  formidable; 
still,  there  were  several  preachers  of  this  order,  (if  it  be  law- 
ful to  call  ihcm  p?'cachers,  J  who  were  continually  harangu- 
ing  the  people  on  the  subject  of  baptism,  or  rather  of  im^ 
mersion.  By  day  and  by  night,  their  cry  was,  water!  wa- 
ter!! water!!!  as  if  heaven  were  an  island,  situated  some- 
where in  the  British  sea,  and  we  all  had  to  5M;im  to  get  there ! 
— or,  as  if  the  Savior  of  mankind  were  di  penny  winkle,  and 
could  only  be  found  hanging  to  a  sand-stone,  in  the  bottom  of 
some  water  course !  And,  one  could  as  easily  track  a  cat-fish 
through  the  Suck,  in  the  Tennessee  river;  or  side-line  a  whale 
through  the  Muscle  Shoals  in  Alabama;  or  illumine  the  uni- 
verse with  the  tail  of  a  lightning-bug;  or,  hold  a  soaped 
pig  by  the  tail,  as  convert  these  people  from  the  error  of  their 
way. 

It  was  on  this  circuit  too,  that  I  had  the  controvei*sy  with 
the  agents  of  the  ^^merican  Sunday  School  Union,  allud- 
ed to  in  the  first  section  of  this  work.     And  it  was  here,  that 
I  published  the  pamphlet  entitled  an  ^^Address  totheHiwas- 
seans,  on  the  subject  of  Sabbath  schools,''  &c. ;  and  for  the 
sin  of  this  publication,  it  seems,  I  am  not  to  get  forgiveness, 
either  in  this  life,   or  in  the  life  to  come.     I  did  greatly  ex- 
pose their  machinations  in  this  pamphlet.     And  this  I  must 
ever  continue  to  do;  for  I  view  with  jealousy  the  general 
movements  of  the  Presbyterian  church.     I  unfortunately  sus- 
pect that  there  is  more  of  political  management  in  all  their 
affairs,   than  of  concern  for  the  souls  of  men.    This  may  be 
my  misfortune,  but  I  am  sincere  in   avowing  it.     Many  of 
the  common  people,  attached  to  this  church,  are  unsuspecting 
and  innocent,  and  ought  to  be  pitied  rather  than  blamed;  for 
if  their  preachers  were  not  to  impose  upon  their  gullibility , 
and  thus  designedly  and  knowingly  lead  them  astray,  they 
would  not  connive  at  their  measures.     As  to  tlie  preachers 
themselves,  most  of  them  know  they  are  in  error,  and  they 
seem  determined  to  continue  in  error.     Clergymen  are  of  all 
Gther  men  the  most  difficult  to  convert.     One  of  the  evangel- 
ists informs  us,  that  it  was  not  till  multitudes  of  the  common 
people  believed,  that  a  great  company  of  the  priests  became 
obedient  to  the  faith  I     I  hope  those  moderate  persoios  who 
w2 


258  A  NARKATIVE 

aim  to  steer  between  all  extremes,  will  pardon  me,  for  hay- 
ing said  so  much  in  relation  to  the  Presbyterians,  and  for 
having  said  it  so  plainly  too.  God  knows  I  have  no  desire 
to  increase  the  bickerings  and  uncharitable  feelings  which 
now  prevail  among  the  different  denominations.  I  m.ourn 
this  evil  in  the  church,  but  I  see  clearly  it  cannot  be  remedied. 
Though  I  never  did  nor  never  will  advocate  union:  on  the 
contrary  I  will  ever  oppose  it.  An  attempt  to  effect  such  a 
thing  is  vanity,  and  try  it  who  w^ill,  it  will  be  found  to  give 
rise  to  vexation  of  spirit. 

During  this  year,  there  was  no  little  excitement  through- 
out the  Hiwassee  district,  on  the  all-absorbing  subject  of  Free. 
Masonry;  and  this  excitement  has  been  kept  up  and  in- 
creased, as  the  public  prints  will  shew,  till  the  present  day; 
and  in  imitation  of  those  zealous  partizans  at  the  north,  they 
are  even  forming  .^Tz/i-Masonic  societies  there.     There  is  a 
lodge  of  no  inconsiderable  force  in  Athens,  and  another  in 
Madisonville — with   man}"    of  the  members  of  both  these 
lodges,  I  am  personally  and  particularly  acquainted.     Many 
of  them  are  honorable  men  and  worthy  citizens:  others  of 
them  are  scoundrels  of  the  baser  sort.     This,  however,  ar- 
gues nothing  against  the  system  of  Masonry;  for  there  are 
good  and  bad  men  belonging  to  all,  and  even  the  best  of  as- 
sociations.    I  have  never  published  or  preached  one  sentence 
against  the  system  of  Masonry,  for  the  very  reason  too,  that 
I   know  nothing  certainly  about  the  system.     I  suppose, 
however,  thatMorgan's  exposition  of  it  is  a  correct  one;  and 
this  opinion  has  been  strengthened  and  confirmed,  from  the  con- 
sideration that,  from  the  days  of  Morgan  down  to  the  pres- 
ent, thcvsystem  has  been  on  the  decline.     Yet,  I  would  give 
it  as  my  opinion,  that  a  minister  had  better  say  but  little  about 
Free  Masonry  in  the  pulpit,  lest  he  should  make  false  state- 
ments before  he  is  aware  of  it.     I  am  not  a  mason  myself — I 
never  was  one — I  never  intend  to  be  one.     For  I  consider 
that  the  religion  taught  by  Jesus  Christ  and  his  Apostles,  and 
which  is  contained  in  the  New  Testament,  will  answer  all  the 
gracious  ends  proposed  in  the  system  of  masonry. 

Thus  I  have  thrown  together,  as  they  occurred,  a  few 
thoughts,  which  may  suffice  for  the  present,  to  show  the  state 
of  my  mind,  and  the  state  of  things  on  the  Tellico  circuit, 
during  this  year. 

May  the  good  people  of  that  section,  live  and  die  in  the  full 
enjoyment  of  that  religion  which  is  peaceable,  permanent, 
and  purifying;  and  whose  reward  is  glory,  honor,  immortal- 
ity, and  eternal  life. 


OF   THE   LIFE,    &C.  259 

1831. — This  year,  our  conference  was  held  in  Athens 

Bishop  Hedcling  presided.     From  this  conference  I  was  sent 
to  the  Franklin  circuit,  in  the  western   part  of  North  Caroli- 
na.    Here,    again.   I  had  another   law-suit  upon  my  hands, 
hefore  I  was  aware  of  it,  and  that  too  against  a  host  of  the 
most  bigotted  and  infuriated  Baptists  I  ever  met  with  in  any 
country.     Yes,  I  will  venture  to  affirm — to  use  no   harsher 
language — that  they  are  without  a  parallel — they  stand  unri- 
valled in   the  whole  world  of  inquisitorial   accusers!     The 
plaintiff  in  this  suit,  was   however,  a  Baptist  Preacher, 
who  had  all  his  lifetime  been  engaged  in  some  paltry  pecula- 
tion or  other,  and  in  persecuting  and  slandering  Methodist 
preachers,  doctrines,  discipline,  &c.     In  a  word,  a  man  less 
depraved  by  means  of  ministerial  trichery,  less  hardened 
by  ardent  and  insidious  aspirations  for  money,  cannot  be  found 
in  the  western  country.     If  I  were  called  upon  to  point  out 
a  preacher,  lost  to  all  sense  of  honor  and  shame,  blind  to  all 
the  beauties  of  religion,  and  every  way  hackneyed  in  crime, 
I  would  point  to  this  man.     But,  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
reader,  I  will,  by  way  of  preliminary,  give  a  brief  account 
of  this  whole  transaction.     First,  this  man,  in  addition  to 
having  been  almost  all  his  lifetime   engaged  in  mercilessly 
fleecing  the  flock,  and  in  litigations  of  one  kind   or  another, 
has  also   been  unremittingly  aspiring  after  preferment;  and 
like  some  noxious  characters  who   lived  in  the  days  of  our 
Savior,  he  has  always  manifested  a  desire  to  "walk  in  long 
robes,"  while  he  has  even  loved  '^greetings  in  the  markets 
and  the  highest  seats  in  the  synagogues,  and  the  chief  rooms 
at  feasts."     In  the  next  place,  there  has  never  been  a  iMctho- 
dist  travelling  preacher  in  that  country,    for  ten   or  fifteen 
year*  back,  who  this  man  has  not  directly  or  indirectly  assail- 
ed, and  attempted  to  injure.     And  as  many  as  five  hi'j-hly 
respectable  travelling  preachers,  have  since  certified  that  he 
had  grossly  slandered  them,  and  their  certificates  have  been 
twice  published  to  the  world.     But  to  proceed.     Previoua 
to  my  entrance  into  that  country,  my  predecessor,   viz:  the 
preacher  who  had  travelled  there  the  year  before,  had  been 
assailed,  at  the  instance  of  this  man,  in  an  infamous  little  pub- 
lication, written  by  a  little  old  apostate  ivhig^ — an  oiiicial 
member  of  the  Baptist  church — the  very  but-cut  of  original 
sin.     To  this  publication,  this  circuit  preacher  felt  himself 
bound  to  reply,  and  accordingly  done  so.     Some  two  months 
after  this,  the  old  Baptist  priest  replied  in  a  pamphlet  of  some 
size,  and  in  this  publication  slandered  a  number  of  Methodist 
preachers,  together  with  the  doctrines,  government,  and  gen- 


£60  A   NARRATIVE 

cral  pollly  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     In  the  midst 
of  this  state  of  things,  and  upon  the  very  heels  of  tliis  con- 
troversy, as  it  were,  I  was  appointed  to  this  circuit;  and  the 
very  next  day  after  my  arrival  o^  tlie   circuit,  hefore  I  had 
even  seen  this  preacher,  he  madp  a  violent  attack  upon  my 
moral  character,  by  circulating  a  most  shameful,   false,  and 
injurious  report.     After  a  few  weeks  had  passed  away,  I  was 
advised  to  clear  up  the  matter.   I  accordingly  addressed  the 
parson  a  note,  asking  him  if  he  had  circulated  so  and  so,  and 
if  he  had,  to  be  so  good  as  to  give  me  his  authority  for  so  do- 
infr.     Contrary  to  my  expectation,  he  wrote  me  quite  an  eva- 
sive answer.     I  addressed  him  again.     He  then  united  with 
a  little  Hopkinsian  physician,  and  they  replied  tome  jointly, 
at  the  same  time  laying  tl^e  whole  matter  on  an  infamous  ne- 
gro,  giving  him  as  the  aumor  of  the  report! ! !     Now,  in  my 
last  communication  to  this  clergyman,  I  scored  him  so  diitji- 
l\   that  it,  togetiier  with  the  report  in  the  country,  that  1  had 
used  him  up,  led  him  to  indict  me  before  the  grand  jury,  for 
a  libel. — And  it  is  \yorthy  of  remark,  that  this  presentment 
was  not  made  till  in  October,  just  a  week  before  I  left  the  cir- 
cuit for  conference.  And,  it  is  also  worthy  of  remark,  that  this 
minister,  in  order  to  become  a  witness  against  me,  artfully  in- 
troduced one  of  the  members  of  his  church,   as  the  prosecu- 
tor in  the  case.     Nor  would  the  grand  jury  have  found  a  true 
bill  ac;aingt  me  at  all,  but  for  the  fact,  that  this  miserable  old 
man,  before  them  declared  upon  oath,  that  he  liad   never  cir- 
culated a  report  concerning  me,  which  should  have  come  from 
a  neoro,  or  provoked  me  in  any  way     This  fact,  with  many 
other  important  items  relating  to  this  lawsuit,  I  have  long 
since  substantially  confirmed  by  a  host  of  respectable  certifi- 
cates, and  published  the  same  to  the  world,  in  as  many  as  two 
different   pamphlets.     This  unfortunate  man,    thought  that 
this  falsehood  was  deposed  in  secret,  and  that  the  jurors  dared 
not  divulge  it,  and  that  no  ear  heard  it.     He  forgot  that  tlie 
eye  of  an  omniscient  God  was  upon  him;  and  he  little  thought 
that  the  dark  deeds  of  that  hour,  would  ever  be  proclaimed 
to  the  world,  througli  the  medium  of  the  press !     Surely  noth- 
ing short  of  an  emetic  from  hell,  could  have  forced  him  to 
vomit  so  base  a  falsehood,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God, 
and  twelve  honest  men !     I  should  not  WTite  thus,  but  for  the 
reckless,  remorseless,  and  unrelenting  manner  in  which  this 
depraved  set  attacked,  pursued,  and  persecuted  me.     For 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  other  professors  of  religion,  who 
serve  but  one  mastel-,  manifesting  their  faith  by  their  good 
works,  I  have  a  respect  bordering  on  veneration;  but  for  those 


or  THE  I^IFE,   &C.  261 

libellers  of  the  religion  they  profess,  who,  in  the  true  spirit 
of  him  they  serve,  go  about  singing,  praying,  preaching,  ly- 
ing, slandering,  defrauding,  and  false  swearing,   I  feel  inex- 
pressible contempt.     Nor  shall  their  over-rated  talejits  or 
mock-dignity;  or  yet,    their  menaces   of  violence,   screen 
them  from  the  rebuke  they  have  merited.     As  nothing  more 
was  done  in  this  "suit  at  law,"  during  this  year,  I  will  dismiss 
it  for  the  present,  and  resume  the  subject  again  in  the  sequel. 
Thus  it  will  be  seen,   that  my  labors  on  this  circuit,  were 
commenced,  under  auspices   very  unfavorable.     1  had  ex- 
pected, on  entering  into   the  coves  and  mountains  of  this 
country,  to  have  found  an  atmosphere  entirely  freed  from  the 
baneful  influence  of  Calvinism,  but  alas!  the  hydra  headed 
monster  had  reached  the  country  before  I  did.     Here  it  was, 
that  I  became  more  and  more  impressed  with  the  conviction, 
that  this  doctrine  is  death  to  religion,  and  the  prolific  mother 
of  human  miseries.     A  whole  Encyclopedia  of  wit,  argu> 
ment,  and  abuse,  could  not   more  than  do  the  subject  justice. 
Here,  too,  in  a  good  degree,  I  witnessed  the  dreadful  effects 
of  drunkenness,  upon  religious  society.    I  here  expelled  se- 
veral of  our  members  for  this  crime.     As  it  respects  the 
Baptists,  custom  seems  to  have  licensed  them  to  drink  when 
they  pleased;  in  so  much,  that  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  to 
see  them,  with  impunity,  staggering  about,  having  their  faces 
carbuncled  with  brandy!     In  vain  may  a  minister  leave  his 
house  and  home,  and  encounter  the  inclement  skies  to  build 
up  believers,  and   .id minister   relief  to  dying  sinners,    while 
they  continue  to  pour  fermenting  liquors  down  their  throats. 
And  as  already  intimated,  I  was  here  more  deeply  convinced 
than   ever,   of  the  propriety  of  entering  a  solemn   protest 
against  so  fearful  an  enormity,  particularly  as  it  threatens  to 
overrun  our  country,  and  lay  waste  our  churches.     But,  the 
reader  will  not  regard  me  as  saying,  that  the  citizens  of  this 
section  of  country  were  all  drunkards,  or  Calvinistic  Baptists. 
The  cause   of  Methodism  was  quite  popular  there;  and  the 
cause  of  temperance  was   daily  gaining  ground.     There  are 
some  as  worthy  and  honorable  members  of  the  Methodist 
church  there,  as  I  ever  met  with  in  any  country.     And   I 
have  a  great  many  warm-hearted  friends  there,  and  I  shall 
long  carry  with  me  the  remembrance  of  the  many  kind  favors, 
wishes,  and  feelings,  I  have  received  from  them.— 1  trust  I 
have  not  been  and  may  not  be  ungrateful  for  them. 

During  this  year,  I  performed  as  many  as  three  tours 
through  what  are  called  the  Taxaway  mountains,  crossing  the 
Blue  ridge,  and  wandering  along  among  the  head  branches  of 


262  A  NARRATIVE 

the  southern  water  courses,  on  a  sort  of  missionary  excursion. 
Agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts,  were  not  in  as  high  a  state 
of  cultivation  there,  as  I  supposed  them  to  be  in  the  States  of 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania;  while  there  existed  at  least  a 
shade  oi  difference  between  the  inhabitants  of  those  moun- 
tains, and  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  so  far  as  their  man- 
ners and  customs  were  concerned! 

Having  been  elected  a  delegate  to  the  general  conference, 
held  in  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1832,  I  set  out  from  my  circuit 
for  the  city,  the  last  of  March,  via.  Abingdon,  Fincastle, 
Staunton,  Fredericksburg,  Washington  and  Baltimore.  Upon 
my  arrival  in  Abingdon,  I  was  insulted  and  tongue-lashed  by 
a  people  called  Protestant  Methodists^  who  were  there  em- 
ployed in  reforming  from  Episcopal  Popery,  for  having  dared 
to  express  my  views  of  their  system !"  Here  I  found  a  parson 
C.  of  this  order,  whose  flaming  zeal  in  maintaining  the  doc- 
trines of  ^'reform,"  led  him  to  forge  thunderbolts,  and  to  pour 
out  anathemas  against  despotism!  This  man  was  evidently 
actuated  by  a  bad  spirit,  or  a  sordid  interest,  or  a  barbarous 
disposition  to  revenge,  which  animates  most  of  i\\e  Radicals 
as  they  are  sometimes  called,  and  produces  all  their  pretended 
love  of  freedom.  This  town,  once  so  harmonious,  was  now 
divided  in  religious  opinion.  And,  as  an  emblem  of  the  di- 
vision, two  spires  now  pointed  up  to  heaven  in  Abingdon; 
and  two  men,  who  styled  themselves  Methodists  and  minis- 
ters of  Christ,  preached  to  distmct  congregations,  and  as  all 
allow,  resorted  to  moasures  widely  different  in  their  tendency, 
in  order  to  carry  their  points.  But  liere,  as  in  most  other 
places,  where  these  sticklers  for  reform  have  caused  a  seces- 
sion from  the  mother  church,  the  same  has  been  found  in  re- 
ality, to  have  been  an  accession  to  it. 

At  Evensham,  some  fifty  miles  beyond  Abingdon,  I  was 
again  charged  on  by  the  postmaster  of  that  place,  a  sort  of 
head  man  in  the  ranks  of  Protestant  Methodism,  who,  as  I 
was  told  after  leaving  there,  published  me  in  the  Wj^the  paper. 
But  poor  man!  he  has  since  been  tucked  up  for  robbing  the 
mail,  and  that  too  of  no  small  amount  of  money.  Since  that 
time,  the  latest  advices  from  that  country  say,  that  his  zeal  in 
the  cause  of  religion  has  greatly  abated. 

On  my  way  to  Philadelphia,  I  spent  a  week  in  the  city  of 
Washington,  in  visiting  the  different  parts  of  the  city,  and 
in  listening  to  the  debates  in  congress.  While  in  Washing- 
ton, in  company  with  some  ten  or  a  dozen  clergymen,  I  visited 
the  President's  house,  also,  and  was  honored  by  an  introduc- 
tion to  Gen.  Jackson.     He  had  just  recovered  from  a  slight 


OF  THE   LIFE,    &C.  265 

state  of  indisposition.  He  sat  with  Mr.  Livingston,  the  then 
secretary  of  state,  examining  some  papers,  when  we  entered, 
and  though  paler  than  usual,  i  was  struck  with  the  fidelity  of 
the  common  portraits  I  have  seen  of  him.  Alexander's,  I 
think,  however,  is  the  best  by  far,  and  his  reflection  in  the 
mirror  is  not  more  like  him.  He  rose  with  a  dignified  cour- 
tesy to  receive  us,  and  conversed  freely  and  agreeably;  till, 
unfortunately,  he  bounced  on  the  missionaries,  who  had 
crossed  his  views  and  feelings,  in  opposing  the  measures  of 
Georgia  and  the  general  government.  His  whole  appearance 
is  im.posing  and  in  the  highest  degree  gentlemanly  and  pre- 
possessing. He  is  a  very  fine  looking  old  man,  though  I  left 
him  with  an  unfavorable  opinion  of  him.  And  though  I 
dislike  and  disapprove  of  his  administration,  yet,  I  am  free 
to  confess,  that  if  his  face  is  an  index  of  his  character,  he  is 
an  upright  and  a  fearless  man.  But  1  have  long  since  learned 
that  it  will  not  do  to  take  men  by  their  looks. 

I  am  no  politician,  but  so  far  as  I  am  capable  of  understand- 
ing what  I  read,  I  am  a  Jejfersonian  Republican. 

From  here  I  proceeded  to  Baltimore,  where,  in  company 
with  a  number  of  the  preachers,  I  remained  for  several  days. 
While  here,  I  preached  to  the^  convicts  in  the  penitentiary,  at 
the  request  of  the  preacher  in  charge  of  the  station.  And, 
while  there,  it  occurred  to  me,  that  the  Hopkinsians  of  Ten- 
nessee, had  previously  predicted  that  I  would  end  my  days 
in  some  such  place,  and  that  they  would  no  doubt  be  some- 
what gratified  to  hear  that  I  was  then  in  the  state  prison  of 
Maryland;  and  I  accordingly  sat  down  and  communicated 
the  information  to  a  friend  in  Athens,  who,  as  I  was 
afterwards  told,  apprised  them  of  the  fact,  without  letting 
them  know  the  circumstances  under  which  I  had  gone  there. 
Some  of  them  rejoiced,  and  others  mourned  lest  the  report 
should  not  be  true.  While  here,  the  keeper  of  the  prison 
related  to  me  an  anecdote,  which  I  cannot  deny  myself  the 
pleasure  of  publishing  It  was  this:  Some  time  before  that, 
two  self-important  young  Presbyterian  ministers,  during  the 
sitting  of  the  presbytery  in  that  city,  visited  the  penitentiary; 
and  while  they  were  walking  about  viewing  the  prisoners  at 
work,  one  of  them  said  to  the  other,  <'I  suspect  that  if  the 
truth  were  known,  the  most  of  these  unfortunate  creatures 
came  here  out  of  the  Methodist  church!" 

The  keeper  having  heard  this,  and  knowing  who  they  were, 
determined  to  score  them,  if  a  suitable  opportunity  presented 
itself.  Well,  it  was  not  long  till  one  of  them  asked  him  if 
aay  of  the  convicts  had  ever  been  members  of  any  church, 


t6i  A  J^ARRATIVB 

&c.  He  answered  in  the  affirmative.  <'What  church'^  en* 
quired  the  priest,  *<vvere  they  members  of?"  Said  the  keeper, 
<  *the  most  of  them  came  here  out  of  the  Presbyterian  church ! ! !" 
The  result  was,  the  young  clergyman  made  no  further  en- 
quiries on  the  subject.'^ 

From  Baltimore,  I  proceeded  to  Philadelphia,  on  board  of 
a  steam-boat,  accompanied  by  some  twenty-five  or  thirty 
Methodist  preachers,  delegates  to  the  general  conference. 
Here,  I  remained  all  the  month  of  May.  While  in  this  city, 
I  attended  the  anniversary  of  the  American  Sunday  School 
Union.  To  a  superficial  observer,  this  would  have  been 
an  interesting  meeting;  but  I  saw  too  much  management  to 
please  me. 

While  the  Methodist  general  conference  was  sitting,  the 
Presbyterian  general  assembly  was  in  session  likewise.  I 
was  present  in  the  assembly,  when  they  had  the  great  doc- 
trinal question  on  the  carpet — I  mean  the  new  school  and  old 
school  divinity,  or  as  some  of  them  termed  it,  »^heresy"  and 
*  ^orthodoxy."  The  debate  grew  out  of  an  appeal  from  the 
decision  of  a  synod,  to  the  general  assembly,  on  the  part  of 
some  new  school  men,  for  a  division  of  the  Philadelphia 
Presbytery.  On  this  question  a  violent  personal  debate  arose, 
which  would,  for  intemperance  of  language  and  wholesale 
abuse  of  private  character,  absolutel)'  disgrace  the  lowest  por- 
ter house,  or  ale  cellar,  in  the  lowest  place  in  the  lowest  town 
or  city  in  the  lowest  country  in  the  world. 

During  the  sitting  of  this  assembly,  and  also  of  our  con- 
ference, in  the  midst  too  of  the  debates  of  the  former,  I  was 
invited  to  dine  at  the  house  of  Alexander  Cook,  esq.  in  com- 
pany with  the  venerable  bishop  Roberts,  Ezekiel  Cooper, 
John  P.  Durbin,  Francis  A.  Owen  and  others;  and  before  the 
bell  rang  for  dinner,  while  we  were  sitting  together  in  the 
parlor,  with  several  other  persons,  one  of  the  company  lifted 
a  Presbyterian  paper,  just  published,  and  read  a  brief  sketch 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  assembly,  written  by  a  member  of 
that  body,  in  which  he  stated  that  great  peace  and  has- 

MONY  PREVAILED  AMONG  THEM,  AND  THAT  THEY  HAD  INDU- 
BITABLE EVIDENCE  THAT  THE  LORD  WAS  WITH  THEM ! 

Bishop  Roberts  then  enquired  of  me  to  know,  smiling  at 
the  same  time,  howl  would  reconcile  that  statement  with  the 
account  myself  and  others  had  given  of  their  debates.  I  re- 
plied, that  I  supposed  the  writer  did  not  use  the  term.s  peace 
and  hartnony^  in  their  most  common  acceptations,  and  that  on 
this  ground  there  Was  no  discrepancy  in  our  statements;  and 
that  as  to  the  Lord  being  present,  the  writer  could  prove  by 


Ol-    THK    LIFE,    See.  2eS 

ttie,  th^t  John  Lord,  one  ot  ourdelegation  from  New-Eno-land 
a  very  tall  fine  looking  man  too,  was  present  and  heard'' their 
debates  and  that  it  was  possible  the  writer  alluded  to  him» 
iiut  said  I,  if  he  meant  to  say  that  the  good  Lord  of  heaven 
and  earth  was  with  them,  he  was  certainly  mistaken 

^ow,  that  an  omnipresent  God  was  there,  in  the  sense  in 
which  he  IS  m  every  part  of  creation,  no  man  who  believes 
the  scriptures  will  doubt;  but  that  the  Almighty  was  there  to 
^auction  and  approve  their  jarring  affections,    malevolent 
wishes,  broils  and  contentions,  discordant  voices,  hard  names 
and  confusion,  is  impossible.     I  would  say  that  a  bein-  of 
revengeful   and   depraved  passions,  slightly  varnished  over 
xvith  hypocrisy,  dissimulation,  and  the  various  forms  of  no- 
liteness  which  prevail  in  parliamentary  usages  and  debates 
presided  over  the  assembly;  and  the  spirit  which  evidently 
stimulated  and  excited  them  to  action,  and  the  horrible  and 
extensive   effects  produced  by  their   inflammatory  debates 
bear  me  out  in  this  supposition.  ' 

They  called  other  ^^hereiics,^^  and  gave  other  the  ^^//e-" 
and  indeed,  one  of  the  members  of  the  assembly  called  Dr 
Ely  an  ^^um^egenerate  heretic!^^  And  in  vain  the  moderal 
tor  attempted  to  reconcile  them.  During  the  heat  of  their 
debate,  the  moral  atmosphere  surrounding  the  place,  became 
so  tainted,  that  it  was  fatal  to  dignity,  re?pectabilit;and  vTr! 
tue,  to  breathe  it.  And,  they  must  alter  their  manner  of 
conducting  their  controversies  in  the  general  assembly,  if 
they  would  turn  our  ^^moral  wilderness''  into  a  paradise  of 
national,  social,  and  domestic  happiness.  In  one  word,  there 
have  never  been  just  such  signs  in  the  Presbyterian  zodiac, 

Z"L        fiT  S'  "^  r'"'  ^"^^  '^^  night  when  Samuel 
Adams,  and  John  Hancock,  caused  the  tea  to  be  thrown  over- 
Wdm  the  harbor  of  Boston!     I  confess,  for  one,   thla 
entertained  a  hope,  that  the  system  would  soon  be  discom- 
titted  slain  and  buried,  till  the  general  judgment  at  least 
and  then  finally,  completely,  and  iLtrievaily^an'hllated !     ' 
1832.  — rhis  year,  our  conference  held  its  annual  session  in 
Evensham   m  western  Virginia.     Bishop  Emory  presided. 
At  this  conference  I  was  appointed  to  the  Tugalovv  circuit, 
lymg  mostly  m  the  district  of  Pickens,  South  Carolina,     ok 
this  circuit,  I  was  enabled  to  effect  but  very  little  in  a  moral 
point  of  view,  it  being  overrun  with  Baptists.     Though  I  had 
no  controversy  with  the  Baptists  this  year,  I  had  the  pleasure 
01  preaching  with  their  greatest  man  Mr -,  more  than 

If  by  the  term  g^reat  preacher,  be  understood  the  fermen= 


2^4  A  ITAIIBATIV* 

tations  of  a  roving  brain,  parodox  united  to  a  depraved  taste, 
unceasing  apostrophes,  exclamations,  obscure  hyperboles;—* 
in  a  word,  if  a  style  inflated  with  extravagant  metaphors,  in- 
dicates greatness  in  a  preacher,  then  indeed  was  this  a  mighty 
man!  And  if  sterile  ideas  clothed  with  a  redundancy  of  im- 
proper words,  accumulated  substantives,  crowded  epithets, 
rapid  contradictions,  repetitions  re-echoed,  abundance  of 
synonymous  words,  and  unceasing  contrasts,  constitute  true 
eloquence,  then  does  this  man  stand  unrivalled  as  an  ora- 
tor! 

This  was  a  very  cold  winter;  and  the  water  courses  kept 
up  till  late  in  the  spring.  I  swam  the  Tugalow  river  four 
times  during  this  winter,  besides  the  large  creeks,  &c.  More 
than  once,  after  swimming  those  water  courses,  I  preached  in 
open  meeting  houses,  with  my  clothes  froze  on  me!  At  one 
time,  in  swimming  the  river,  when  it  was  very  full,  I  was 
driven  below  the  ford  by  the  strength  of  the  current,  and  had 
like  to  have  never  reached  the  land  again.  Indeed  I  was  in 
a  squirrel's  jump  of  the  good  world ! 

Here  I  learned,  that  ?zw///y?cr//zow  is  emphatically  death  to 
religion.  The  churches  were  all  enveloped  in  the  smoke  of 
faction.  The  Presbyterian  and  Baptist  clergy,  in  this  coun- 
try, volunteered  to  support  the  ordinance,  and  preached  ex- 
pressly on  nullification,  declaring  that  it  was  both  scriptural 
and  right!  Having  received  a  new  commission  from  heaven, 
or  elsewhere,  to  *^Go  into  all  the  world  and  preach  nullifica- 
Hon  to  every  creature;"  like  the  followers  of  Mahomet,  and 
not  like  the  disciples  of  Jesus,  whose  duty  it  is  to  preach 
peace  and  good  will  to  mankind,  they  carried  the  alcoran  of 
nullification  in  one  hand,  and  the  sword  in  the  other,  saying 
to  the  people,  ^^choose  ye  this  day  whom  ye  will  serve.  If 
nullification  be  God  serve  it,  and  if  submission  to  the  law 
of  the  land  be  God,  then  follow  it."  A  Baptist  minister  in 
Greenville  district,  just  above  where  I  travelled,  made  the 
discovery,  that  nullification  was  the  <^quintescence  of  reli- 
gion," and  that  "Jesus  Christ  himself  was  a  nullifier! !"  Dif- 
ferent Presbyterian  ministers  preached  sermons  on  the  sub- 
ject, and  some  of  them  had  their  discourses  published  in 
pamphlet  form,  and  circulated  among  the  people,  at  large. 
In  some  Baptist  congregations  where  the  union  party  was  the 
strongest,  motions  were  submitted  to  exclude  nullifiersffrom 
the  pale  of  the  church.  I'he  Methodist  preachers,  with  few 
exceptions,  were  not  guilty  of  such  improprieties.  As  to 
Calvinistic  ministers,  they  have  both  precept  and  example 
in  their  churches,  for  nullification.     John  Calvin,  in  the  cases 


or  THB  XIPS,  &c. 


3«r 


of  Servetus  and  Castellio,  nullijied  that  law  of  God  which 
says,  "Thou  shalt  not  /nil. "  *  "" 

The  nullifiers  throughout  the  country,  distinguished  them- 
selves by  wearing  a  cockade  on  their  hats,  made  of  blue  rib- 
bon Even  the  ioys,  not  free  from  the  apron  strings  of  their 
mothers,  had  them  displayed  in  bold  relief,  and  in  the  true 
style  of  chivalry.  Some  of  the  union  party,  however  bv 
way  of  contempt,  fastened  the  cockade  to  the  necks  of  their 
aogs.  And  I  heard  much  said  of  a  certain  little  bobtail  fiste 
inoneof  the  county  towns,  havingthe  cockade  upon  the  tip 
end  of  h,s  tail,  trottmg  about  the  streets,  and  thus  carrying 
nullification  "sky-high!"  Surely,  Don  Quixotte  himself 
would  have  charged  a  dozen  windmills,  and  broken,  a  hundred 
lances,  and  fought  a  kingdom  of  giants  for  such  a  bado-e' 

A  vast  number  of  the  common  people,  or  peasantry,1eft  the 
state;  and  if  many  of  those  who  held  land  and  other  property, 
c<,uld  have  disposed  of  it,  on  anything  like  reasonable  terms 
they  would  have  fled  from  the  "peaceful  remedy"  as  fast  and 
as  thick  as  did  the  darts  in  the  Trojan  war 

But  as  it  regards  this  thing  called  nullification,  1  find  scrip- 
ture both  >•  and  agaimf  it.  When  the  Babylonian  king 
passed  a  law  not  warranted  by  the  law  of  God,  Shadrach, 
Meshach  and  Abednego,  nullified  it  at  the  hazard  of  their 
lives,  and  were  by  the  power  of  God  successful.  Darius, 
afterwards  king  of  the  Medes  and  Persians,  trying  a  simila^ 
project  had  his  hws  nu/lijed  at  the  peril  of  his  life— he 
succeeded,  and  his  enemies  were  destroyed,  and  the  power 
and  majesty  of  God  in  both  instances  was  spread  over  the  im- 
mense realms  of  those  potentates. 

But  there  are  other  cases,  in  which  nullification  was  attend- 
ed with  the  worst  ol  consequences.  In  the  garden  of  Eden 
our  first  parents  were  induced  by  the  devil,  in  the  form  of  the 
serpent,  to  ««//|/y  the  law  of  God  and  taste  the  forbidden 
fruit;  and  believing  it  to  be  a  "peaceful remedy,"  they  made 
the  'expertment"  C^rn,  in  the  case  of  his  brother  Abel, 
nulh^ed  the  law  of  God,  for  which  he  received  a  black  mark 
in  h>s  forehead !  A  nation  of  Jews  who  perished  in  the  siege 
at  Jerusalem,  were  M  nullifiers.  So  were  the  wretched 
.nhabitan^of  Sodof^  and  Gom^rah.  And  the in^dHuv  an' 
for  their  South  Carolina  politics,  were  all  baptized  byimmer' 

ORDINANCE  into  effect,  got  drowned  in  the  Red  Sea.   And 
had  the  South  Caroling  nullifiers  gone  a  little  further  with 


268 


X KARRATITE 


For  my  own  part,  I  think  it  best  to  obey  the  injunction  of 
St.  Paul,  who  says,  ^'Let  every  soul  be  subject  unto  the  higher 
power,  for  there  is  no  power  but  of  God.  The  powers  that 
be  are  ordained  of  God,  whosoever  therefore  resisteth  the 
power,  resisteth  the  ordinance  of  GOD,  and  they  that  resist 
shall  receive  to  themselves  damnation.'' 

During  this  year,  I  visited  the  Telulee  Falls,  in  Habersham 
county,  Georgia.  The  revolutions  on  our  earth,  by  which  its 
original  appearance  has  been  so  repeatedly  changed,  together 
with  the  manner  in  which  nature  has  embellished  the  tempora- 
ry residence  of  man,  have,  at  all  times,  commanded  the  at- 
tention, and  excited  the  astonishment  of  the  learned.  These 
traces  of  desolation  have  always  acted  on  the  human  mind; 
and  the  traditions  of  deluges,  preserved  among  almost  every 
people,  are  derived  from  the  different  phenomena,  and  the 
great  variety  of  marine  productions  scattered  over  the  earth. 
But,  we  can  never  learn  much  on  a  subject  so  extensive,  so 
very  remote,  and  so  wonderful.  I  have  been  in  different 
States  in  the  Union,  and  have  looked  with  peculiar  delight 
upon  the  order,  harmony,  and  beauty  of  the  works  of  crea- 
tion in  each;  but  never  have  1  witnessed  a  scene  which  struck 
my  mind  with  such  profound  awe,  and  so  completely  filled 
me  with  admiration  of  the  infinite  skill  of  the  great  Archi- 
tect of  nature.  These  falls  are  situated  twelve  miles  from 
Clarkesville,  thecounty  seat  of  Habersham,  on  the  Telulee  riv- 
er, abeautiful  stream  indeed,  which  meandersthrough  the  hills, 
dales,  vallies,and  piney  woods,  till  it  loses  itself  in  the  great 
Savannah.  These  falls,  for  several  years  past,  have  been  a 
place  of  great  resort,  especially  with  the  lowlanders,  who, 
for  their  health,  spend  the  summer  in  this  "hill  country.'' 
And  I  have  to  regret,  that  I  do  not  possess  a  more  lively  and 
acute  genius,  that  I  might  give  a  more  graphic  and  interest- 
ing description  of  them.  The  scene  is  said,  in  point  of 
grandeur,  to  be  superior  to  that  at  Niagara,  by  some  who 
have  visited  both.  But  as  I  have  never  seen  the  falls  of  Ni- 
agara, I  will  not  vouch  for  the  truth  of  this  statement.  Iwill 
say,  however,  that  it  is  difficult  to  form  even  a  tolerable  idea 
of  this  stupendous  cataract  without  visiting  and  examining  it. 
And  even  then  it  is  not  easy  to  bring  the  imagination  to  em- 
brace the  magnitude  of  the  scene.  For  some  distance  above 
rolls  the  gentle  stream,  almost  without  wave  or  ripple  to  dis- 
turb the  tranquility  of  its  bosom,  till,  all  of  a  sudden,  sweep- 
ing along  to  the  dreadful  precipice,  leaping  from  rock  to  rock, 
gathering  all  its  energies,  it  plunges  into  the  awful  abyss  be- 
low. 


OF    THE   XIFE,    &C.  269 

Where  the  water  falls,  and  between  the  blufifs  on  either 
side,  there  is  such  an  astonishing  chasm,  as,  viewed  from 
above,  strikes  the  beholder  with  terror!  Down  this  chasm 
the  water  rushes  with  a  surprising  velocity,  after  its  first  and 
most  tremendous  pitch,  which  is  a  fall  of  some  considerable 
distance,  though  not  perpendicular.  The  pitch  of  the  whole 
body  of  water  produces  a  tremendous  sound  which  maybe 
heard  at  some  distance.  The  dashing  of  the  water  also  pro- 
duces a  mist  which  rises  to  a  great  height.  And  some  small 
distance  below,  the  water,  the  waves,  and  the  foam,  have 
quite  a  grand  appearance  indeed.  The  eye  of  an  observant 
mind  must  rest,  mdeed,  with  peculiar  delight  on  the  structure 
of  these  falls,  viewing  them  as  a  matchless  display  of  Al- 
mighty power.  To  be  in  sight  of  these  falls,  at  this  season 
of  the  year,  upon  an  adjacent  eminence,  surrounded  by  an 
extensive  field,  handsomely  interspersed  w^ith  timber;  where 
one  can  inhale  the  balmy  zephyrs,  charmed  with  the  splendor 
of  the  sun,  and  the  variegated  coloring  spread  over  the  face 
of  the  countr}'',  and  then,  in  the  midst  of  this  grandeur,  let 
the  rich  harmony  of  a  choir  of  feathered  songsters  come 
pealing  on  the  ear,  and  certainly  no  heart  can  be  so  dead  to 
feeling,  as  to  resist  the  charms. 

I  am  told  by  those  who  have  visited  them  amidst  wintry 
storms,  clouds,  rain,  and  fog,  when  a  dense,  hazy  atmos- 
phere, surcharged  with  watery  exhalations,  hangs  all  around, 
that  the  scene  is  awfully  grand. 

If  the  traveller,  in  crossing  the  mountains  to  or  from  the 
south,  will  take  the  trouble  to  call  in  and  see  these  falls,  he 
may  see  the  works  of  nature  on  a  scale  of  magnitude  and 
grandeur  which  it  will  be  highly  gratifying  to  behold  and  in- 
vestigate, and  which  will  raise  to  the  highest  pitch  his  con- 
ceptions of  the  magnificence  and  glory  of  film,  whose  works 
are  very  truly  '^great  and  marvellous!'^  He  will  feel  within 
him  a  burning  desire  to  reach  that  eternal  world  of  joy, 
where  the  redeemed  shall  acquire  a  more  minute  and  coaipre- 
heuslve  view  of  the  attributes  of  the  Deity,  and  of  the  con- 
nections, relations,  and  dependencies,  of  the  vast  physical 
and  moral  system  over  which  his  government  extends. 

Decision  of  the  law-suit. — Having  gave  security,  at 
the  time  I  was  first  presented,  for  my  appearance  at  the'  en- 
suing superior  court,  I  returned  from  the  south,  to  North 
Carolina,  in  February,  in  this  year,  and  took  out  subpoenas 
for  the  witnesses  by  whom  I  intended  to  make  good  the  char- 
ges alledged  in  the  bill  of  indictment.  Well,  I  came  on  to 
court;  and  on  Monday,  the  first  day  of  court,  my  counsel  de- 
x2 


£70  AirAJRKATIVE 

manded  atrial,  and  continued  to  do  so  everyday,  till  thelast 
evening  of  court,  when,  just  at  night,  it  was  granted.  The 
reason  why  a  trial  could  not  be  had  sooner,  was,  that  the  hill 
which  had  been  drawn  up  at  the.  former  court,  and  which  I 
was  then  prepared  to  answer  to,  was  found  to  be  defective,  or 
such  an  one  as  I  would  blow  up;  and  hence,  a  neiv  bill  was 
drawn  up,  and  a  new  presentment  made  to  the  jury,  and  a 
new  plan  of  arrangements  adopted.  And  what  is  more 
strange  than  all,  the  state  (for  this  was  a  state  case)  nullified 
this  bill,  and  the  state  forced  me  to  pay  the  cost  of  the  same, 
though  I  was  ready  for  trial !  The  like  never  was  heard  of 
before!! 

In  this  last  bill  of  indictment,  there  were  three  specifica- 
tions, of  which  the  following  was  considered  the  most  im- 
portant:— '*But  sir,  I  am  constrained  to  believe,  that  you  are 
so  destitute  of  feeling,  so  blind  to  the  beauties  of  religion,  so 
hacknied  in  crime,  and  so  lost  to  all  sense  of  honor  and 
shame, — that  notwithstanding  your  faculties  still  enable  you 
to  continue  your  sordid  pursuits,  they  will  not  permit  you  to 
feel  any  remorse,  or  acknowledge  your  errors.'^  To  support 
this  charge,  I  had  various  respectable  witnesses  present  to 
prove  the  man  a  liar,  a  slanderer,  and  a  defrauder;  and  after 
doing  so,  I  intended  to  infer,  according  to  scripture  and  rea- 
son, that  he  was  what  I  had  represented  him  to  be.  I  knew 
very  well,  that  no  man  in  his  sober  senses,  would  swear  posi- 
tively, that  he  was  dead  in  sins  and  trespasses,  and  lost  to  all 
sense  of  honor  and  shame;  but  I  simply  supposed  that  upon  mak- 
ing out  this  proof,  the  conclusion  would  be  inevitable.  And  in- 
deed, 1  afterwards  procured  the  certificates  of  nineteen 
respectable  men,  eight  of  whom  were  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel, proving  him  to  be  this  kind  of  a  man,  and  published  them 
to  the  world,  as  before  stated. 

Upon  failing  to  get  witnesses  to  swear  to  the  man's  heart. 
my  counsel  submitted  the  case  without  any  pleading,  and  I 
was  fined  five  dollars. 

But  it  is  worthy  of  notice,  that  this  man,  in  going  to  law, 
instead  of  bringing  an  action  of  slander,  indicted  me  for  a 
libel.  His  motive  for  acting  thus,  was,  he  had  been  told  that 
in  an  action  for  slander,  the  truth  of  the  words  spoken,  or 
written,  affords  a  complete  justification,  which  is  seldom  the  ^ 
case  in  an  indictment  for  a  libel.  Besides,  an  action  of 
slander  wpuld  have  enabled  me  as  defendant,  to  defend  my 
own  character,  and  attack  his  more  successfully,  than  the  ^igid 
rules  which  govern  an  indictment  for  a  libel  would  allow  of. 
For,  in  this  state,  the  British  doctrine  of  libelling  is  inCor- 


or  THE  LIFE,    &C.  271 

porated  in  the  constitution;  and  the  laws  enacted  on  the  sub- 
ject in  Old  England,  were,  for  the  most  part,  intended  for  the 
protection  of  the  king,  and  when  explained  amount  to  this — 
the  greater  the  truth,  the  greater  the  libel.  So  that,  had  the 
once  intended  scheme  of  the  parliament  of  Great  Britain,  to 
pass  a  bill,  which  denied  to  persons  accused  on  a  criminal 
account  the  privilege  of  defending  themselves  by  the  help  of 
counsel,  been  here  carried  out  and  acted  upon,  I  could  have 
sustained  no  additional  injury  by  it.  For,  under  the  regula- 
tions which  governed  this  indictment,  the  legal  knowledge  of 
a  Blackstone,  or  a  Mansfield,  combined  with  the  eloquence  of 
Lord  Bollingbroke  and  Charles  Fox,  would  have  been  of  no 
serrice  to  me.  Now,  under  the  laws  which  govern  an  in- 
dictment for  a  libel,  David  and  Solomon,  were  they  on  earth, 
might  be  charged  and  convicted  for  having  libelled  the  whole 
human  race.  David  has  said,  ^^all  men  are  liars,^^  and 
Solomon  has  said,  Hhere  are  none  good.^^  Now  deprive 
the  former  of  the  testimony  of  an  inspired  prophet,  who, 
speaking  of  the  human  family,  as  soon  as  they  are  born,  savs, 
'Hhey  go  astray  speaking  lies,^'  and  he  could  not  sustain  the 
charge.  Well,  deprive  the  latter  of  the  scripture  proofs  of 
general  depravity,  and  he  would  make  a  complete  failure 
likewise.  And  here  I  will  remark,  for  your  information 
reader,  that  if  ever  you  are  disposed  to  select  a  legal  remedy 
in  a  case  of  this  kind,  and  your  general  character  is  bad,  in- 
dict for  a  libeL  and  not  for  slander;  for,  if  you  do,  your  op- 
ponent will  be  allowed  to  investigate  your  character  from  your 
youth  up.  And,  if  you  should  ever  conclude  to  sue  for  your 
character,  and  it  is  not  better  than  that  of  this  man,  sue  for  a 
new  one,  and  not  for  the  one  you  have! 

But,  when  a  man  is  indicted  for  a  libel,  and  is  found  guilty 
and  taxed  with  the  cost,  the  idea  goes  out  among  the  ignorant 
arid  uninformed,  that  he  signed  a  libel, — an  instrument  of 
writing  in  which  he  acknowledges  himself  to  be  a  liar,  &c. 
And  this  has  been  said  of  me,  both  in  Carolina  and  Tennes- 
see, by  the  ignorant  and  malicious  ministers  and  members  of 
the  Baptist  church.  But  it  is  all  as /a/^e,  as  its  numerous 
authors  are  infamous.  Nor  ami  anxious  for  those  who  are 
not  accustomed  to  think  for  themselves,  or  the  corrupt,  or 
those  who  are  under  the  influence  of  trained  and  active  in- 
triguers, to  entertain  any  other  view  of  the  subject.  The 
majesty  of  truth  will  command  the  reverence  of  the  candid-— 
those  who  refuse  to  comply  with  its  stern  demands,  can  peace- 
ably enjoy  their  own  opinions. 

Were  I  disposed  to  do  so,  I  might  give  the  public  a  disser- 


272  ANARRATIYE 

tation  on  the  posse  comitatus,  equally  as  ponderous,  as  that 
with  which  Lord  North  furnished  the  I3ritish  House  of  Com- 
mons? 

I  will,  however,  only  say,  that  there  has  never  been  such  a 
trial,  since  the  trial  of  William  Penn,  before  the  court  of  Old 
Bailey,  in  England,  for  preaching  to  the  Quakers  in  the 
streets  of  London;  and,  for  his  controversy  with  the  Baptists 
and  Catholics.  Perhaps,  I  might  except  the  trial  of  John 
Wesley  at  Savannah,  in  1737;  and,  more  recently,  the  trial  of 
Lorenzo  Dow,  in  Charleston.  Dow  was  indicted  fo»'  a  libel; 
and  although  he  plead  the  truth  of  the  alles;ations  in  justi- 
Jication,  and  rested  his  defence  solely  upon  this  plea-,  he 
was  nevertheless,  convicted,  and  the  sentence  of  the  law  was 
that  of  a  fined.x\i\  imprisonment! 

A  few  remarks  in  relation  to  the  cost  of  this  suit,  and  I 
have  done  for  the  present.  Having  lost  the  suit,  as  a  matter 
of  course,  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  pay  the  cost.  The  legal  cost 
of  the  suit,  amounted  to  quite  a  trifle,  there  being  only /?^»o 
witnesses  on  the  part  of  the  prosecution,  and  but  few  of  those 
whom  I  had  subpoened,  who  proved  their  attendance.  But, 
on  my  return  to  that  country,  I  learned  that  a  third  person, 
not  known  in  the  suit,  had  summoned  a  host  of  old  Baptist 
witnesses,  who,  after  court  had  adjourned,  and  I  had  paid 
most  of  the  legal  cost  and  left  there,  went  forward  and  proved 
their  attendance!!  These  witnesses  were  summoned  for  no 
other  purpose  under  the  sun,  but  to  create  cost;  and  as  evi- 
dence of  this,  they  were  never  called  into  court,  nor  was  it 
known  to  me  that  they  were  there  as  witnesses ! ! !  Well,  on 
Sabbath,  in  the  month  of  June,  about  five  miles  from  the 
court  house,  while  I  was  at  church,  in  company  with  my 
presiding  elder,  William  Patton,  and  the  circuit  preacher, 
Stephen  W\  Earnest,  a  corrupt  and  inexperienced  deputy 
sheriff,  seized  upon  me  for  this  illegal  cost! 

To  satisfy  the  demands  of  this  extra-judicial  claim,  on  the 
next  morning,  I  gave  the  officer  an  elegant  dun  mare,  saddle, 
bridle,  saddle-bags,  and  umbrellaj  all  of  which  he  disposed 
of  in  short  order. 

How  true  the  remark  of  an  eminent  writer:  *'he  that  op- 
poseth  hell,  may  expect  hell's  rage.'^  Surely  their  conduct 
savors  more  of  that  of  an  Algerine  banditti,  than  of  a  body 
of  civilized  men — not  to  say  christians.  And  surely,  in  tra- 
versing the  vast  continent  of  America,  in  wandering  over  the 
barren  plains  of  inhospitable  Denmark,  through  honest  Swe- 
den, and  frozen  Lapland,  rude  and  churlish  Finland,  unprin- 
cipled Russia,  and  the  wide- spread  regions  of  the  wandering 


OF  THB  I»IFE,    &Cr  273 

Tartars.  I  shall  never  have  to  encounter  a  more  savage  and 
unprincipled  set!  With  but  very  few  exceptions,  the  whole, 
pack  are  steeped  to  the  very  chin  in  corruption,  living  upon 
iU  wages,  and  pandering  to  its  purposes.  They  are  shrouded 
in  the  sack-cloth  and  ashes  of  shame  and  disgrace,  and  en^ 
closed  in  vaults  full  of  buried  venality.  Like  the  fabled 
apples  on  the  shore  of  the  Dead  Sea,  they  are  fair  without, 
but  ashes  within.  They  are  daily  accustomed  to  low  and 
dirty  contemplations,  and  familiarized  by  habit  to  the  most 
filthy  and  mistaken  views  of  truth. 

Their  abominable  impurities — their  enormous  injustice — 
their  profanation  of  holy  things — their  contempt  of  the  Su- 
preme Being — their  rancor  and  animosity — their  hypoeritical 
irtiftces — their  dark  designs  and  insidious  calumnies,  if  un- 
repented  lor,  will  one  day  seize  upon  them,  and  burit  them 
with  the  most  inexpressible  anguish. 

But  public  opinion  has  long  since  sealed  the  fate  of  these 
miserable  offenders,  and  they  have  well  nigh  perished  amidst  the 
universalexecrationsof  an  honest  community;  while  the  winds 
of  heaven  have  wafted  the  dying  shrieks  of  their  flimsy  char- 
acters, from  the  shores  of  time  to  the  distant  vaults  of  merited 
oblivion!  Still,  I  would  pray  Omnipotence,  in  the  dying 
language  of  Stephen,  who,  when  a  similar  set  were  mangling 
his  body  with  stones,  said,  <<Lord,  lay  not  this  sin  to  their 
charge.''  But  as  sure  as  that  moral  justice  is  not  a  fiction, 
when  the  day  of  retribution  shall  come,  and  the  unclouded 
light  of  eternity  dawns  upon  the  disordered  chaos  of  all  human 
concerns,  it  will  be  seen  that,  throughout,  this  was  a  shameful 
transaction,  on  the  part  of  these  my  inquisitorial  accusers. 
For,  never  before,  perhaps,  has  a  case  occurred  within  the 
compass  of  the  whole  civilized  world,  in  which  the  laws  in- 
tended for  the  protection  of  personal  rights,  have  been  so 
openly  and  basely  set  at  defiance,  and  have  proved,  in  prac- 
tice, so  entirely  inadequate  to  their  object.  The  judge,  many 
of  whose  relations  are  Baptists,  before  and  after  he  came  to 
court,  declared  he  would  put  it  to  me,  or  words  to  this 
amount.  And  the  attorney  general,  before  the  court,  repre- 
sented me  as  a  foreigner,  having  come  into  the  country  and 
made  the  attack  upon  the  plaintiff!  This  is  carrying  out  the 
doctrine  of  state  rights  much  further,  than  even  contenderl 
for  by  South  Carolina;  for  if  a  member  of  the  Hartford  Con- 
vention, were  to  settle  within  her  limits,  she  would  allow 
him  all  the  privileges  of  a  bona  fide  juredivino  citizen.  This 
is  indeed  state  restrictions,  instead  oi state  rights.  In  mat- 
ters of  controversy  in  Tennessee,  this  primogeniture  cili- 


STt  A  KABBATIVE 

zenshtp  is  not  taken  in4o  the  account.  The  laws  of  Braco^ 
were  the  very  quintescence  of  justice  and  mercy,  if  compared 
with  this  inexplicable  system  of  judicial  ethics! 

The  most  infamous  culprit  is  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  a  fair 
and  impartial  trial;  and  no  individual,  however  talented  or 
high  in  office,  should  be  allowed  to  assume  to  himself  th^ 
office  of  judge,  jury  and  executioner,  all  at  the  same  time. 

The  following  extract  from  Volney^s  Ruins;  or,  Meditation 
on  the  Revolutions  of  Empires,'^  upon  the  * 'Universal  basis 
of  all  Right  and  all  Law,"  contains  an  excellent  view  of  the 
origin  of  all  justice  and  of  all  right: — 

« 'Whatever  be  the  active  power,  the  moving  cause  that 
governs  the  universe,  since  it  has  given  to  all  men  the  same 
sensations,  and  the  same  wants,  it  has  thereby  declared  that  it 
has  given  to  all  the  same  right  to  the  use  of  its  treasures,  and 
that  all  men  are  equal  in  the  order  of  nature.  Secondly, 
since  this  power  has  given  to  each  man  the  necessary  means 
of  preserving  his  own  existenc«j,  it  is  evident  that  it  has  con- 
stituted them  all  independent  one  of  another; — that  it  ha^ 
created  them  free; — that  no  man  is  subject  to  another; — 
that  each  is  absolute  proprietor  of  his  own  person.  Equali- 
ty and  LIBERTY  are  therefore  two  essential  attributes  of 
man." 

In  conclusion,  all  who  are  not  too  deeply  rooted  and  ground- 
ed in  error,  to  be  convinced  by  reason  and  argument,  will  be 
perfectly  satisfied  with  this  account  of  this  part  of  my  lifOi 
The  people  of  Carolina,  who  are  well  acquainted  with  the 
parties  and  circumstances  under  consideration,  are  the  best 
judges,  and  with  them  rests  the  verdict,  which  will  be  award- 
ed for  or  against  the  proper  person.  For  my  own  part,  I  do 
not  feel  daunted  in  the  least  degree,  in  view  of  their  decision; 
nor  have  I  at  all  been  annoyed  because  of  the  vile  and  scur- 
rilous abuse  of  party,  and  of  sectarian  venom  which  have 
been  poured  upon  me.  And  I  shall  go  on  in  the  bold,  but 
even  tenor  of  my  way,  and  perform  the  duties  I  owe  to  Godj 
to  my  conscience,  and  to  the  church  of  which  I  have  the  honor 
to  be  both  a  member  and  a  minister.  I  have  but  little  ambi- 
tion to  gratify,  no  private  ends  to  answer,  and  no  desire  but 
tlie  good  of  the  whole  human  family:  and  while  public  and 
private  scandal,  secret  malice,  and  all  the  baser  passions  of 
the  human  heart  are  brought  to  bear  against  me,  I  shall  stand 
firm  and  steady,  and  endeavor  by  the  assistance  of  God,  to 
walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  to  which  it  has  pleased  God  and 
the  church  to  call  me.     As  an  individual,  my  reputation  is 


untarnished:  and  all  the  worst  occurences  of  my  life,  are 
herewith  submitted  to  the  world. 

The  great  body,  both  of  the  membership  and  ministry,  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churchy  for  many  miles  round, 
know  me — and  they  know  me  well;  and  those  who  live  at  a 
distance,  are  well  enough  acquainted  with  Methodism  to  know, 
that  no  man  of  a  suspicious  character  would  be  continued  in 
the  travelling  connexion,  or  sent  by  an  Annual  Conference, 
to  labor  on  any  circuit,  station  or  district.  And  the  Journals 
of  the  Holston  Annual  Conference  will  shew,  that  a  charge 
of  immorality  has  never  been  brought  against  me  and  sustain- 
ed, since  I  have  been  a  member  of  said  Conference. 

Indeed  ministerial  character,  like  female  virtue,  should 
challenge  scrutiny;  and  with  the  fearlessness  of  conscious  up- 
rightness and  purity,  recoil  not  at  the  severest  and  most  try- 
ing ordeal. 

1833. — This  year  our  Conference  met  at  Kingsport,  in  the 
month  of  November.  Bishop  Roberts  attended,  but  owing 
to  bad  health,  did  not  preside  more  than  a  part  of  two  days. 
Our  esteemed  brother,  Thomas  Wilkerson,  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  Bishop,  presided  the  remainder  of  the  session. 
At  this  conference,  I  was  appointed  to  travel  alone  on  the  Dan- 
dridge  circuit,  a  three  weeks  circuit,  lyingin  the  fork,  between 
the  Holston  and  French  Broad  rivers. 

In  the  commencement  of  this  year,  we  had  some  encour- 
agement Our  first  quarterly  meeting  was  very  interesting; 
but  considerations  of  a  highly  important  character  prevented 
the  progress  of  the  work  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year.  On 
this  circuit,  as  on  several  other  circuits,  I  had  to  expel  some 
malcontents  from  the  pale  of  our  communion. 

Some  of  these  miscreants  immediately  set  about  the  work 
of  raising  a  party,  and  of  destroying  the  societies  of  which 
they  had  been  members;  but  fortunately  for  the  cause  of 
Methodism,  they  could  get  but  few  disciples  to  aid  them  in 
this  fiend-like  work.  And  although  the  few  followers  they 
did  muster  up,  made  it  their  business  to  cry  daily,  ^^Great  is 
Diana  of  the\Ephesians!^' — '^unfairness  of  triaV-f- 
'^snap  judgment, ^^  &c.  they  were  unable  to  effect  any  th/ng 
save  their  own  disgrace.  And  although  they  were  unt^ng 
in  their  efforts,  yet  it  should  seem  to  me,  that  a  conscious 
inability  to  defend  a  cause  so  weak,  and  to  sustain  a  position 
so  notoriously  at  varianxse  withevery  thing  like  truth,  should 
have  calmed  them  down  losife/ice.  Poor  unfortunate  crea- 
tures! they  didnot  even  act  und^rstandiogl^,  in  reference  to 
their -own  interest    Eyery  struggle  Ihey^  nmde  to  inwjlve 


\i 


g76  A  NARRATIVE 

others  and  extricate  themselves,  only  made  their  condition 
worse.  By  this  time,  I  presume  they  are  prepared  to  adopt 
the  sentiment,  that  man's  whole  life  is  hwi  school  hoiu^s;  this 
world  a  great  university;  and  the  vicissitudes  of  time  his 
precept  or  i 

The  Meteoric  Phenomenon  accounted  for  ! — Be- 
tween five  and  six  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning,  Nov.  13, 
1833,  it  will  long  be  recollected  by  thousands,  that  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  phenomena  ever  seen  by  the  eye  of  man,  ap- 
peared in  the  heavens.  This  extraordinary  phenomena,  con- 
sisted of  a  great  number  of  what  are  vulgarly  called  shoot- 
ing sturSj  which,  from  common  centres,  appeared  to  be 
shooting  in  every  direction,  except  upwards,  radiating  the 
whole  heavens,  by  leaving  a  streak  of  mild  light  on  the  un- 
sullied blue.  This  occurred  during  my  first  round  on  the 
,Dandridge  circuit.  And  while  many  were  wrapped  in  won- 
der and  delight,  in  contemplating  the  mild  sublimity  and 
glory  of  the  millions  of  lines  of  light  which  Were  gradually 
appearing  and  disappearing  in  succession,  during  the  contin- 
uance of  this  most  beautiful  of  all  celestial  phenomena,  others 
were  seriously  alarmed.  Some  predicted  that  the  end  of  all 
things  was  just  at  hand;  or  that  the  prophetic  period  had  ar- 
rived, «in  the  which  the  heavens  shall  pass  away  with  a  great 
noise,  and  the  elements  shall  melt  with  fervent  heat," — and 
-when  *nhe  earth  also  and  the  works  that  are  therein  shall  be 
burned  up!"  And  some  thought  that,  in  the  language  of  the 
General  Epistle  of  Jude,  they  were  "wanderingstars,to  whom 
is  reserved  the  blackness  of  darkness  forever!"  Others 
thought  the  meteors  ominous  of  war;  and  some  of  one  thing, 
^nd  some  of  another.  While,  to  cap  the  climax,  some  know- 
ing ones  among  the  Baptists,  who,  I  suppose,  were  disposed 
to  account  for  this  prodigy  in  nature,  solely  on  philosophic 
principles,  said  it  was  a  sign  of  the  downfall  of  the  Metho- 
dists!!! 

But,  soon  after  this  occurrence,  a  company  of  females  met 
at  a  quilting,  in  the  bounds  of  a  circuit  I  once  travelled,  and 
while  they  were  wondering,  and  guessing,  and  prophesying, 
&?..  with  regard  to  the  cause  of  this  wonder  of  wonders,  a 
Hopkinsian  lady  remarked,  <">the  whole  matter  has  been  oc- 
casioned by  the  death  of  JBrownlowf  ^'What!"  exclaimed 
another,  <<is  it  possible  that  Brownlow  is  dead!"  "Yes," 
replied  this  sister  Phebe  of  Cenchrea,  ''he  has  been  dead 
several  weeks;  and  by  tight  squeezing  he  made  out  to  get  to 
heaven;  but  he  had  been  there  no  time  scarcely  till  he  raised 
«  fuss,  and  was  running  about  all  over  the  good  world  taking 


or   THE   LIFE,    &,C.  277 

Certificates  to  clear  himself;  and  it  took  such  hard  work  to 
get  him  out  of  Heaven,  that  it  set  the  stars  to  falling!  !" 
This,  after  my  acknowledged  and  known  dexterity  in 
writing  pamphlets,  and  in  using  up  Hopkinsian  missionaries 
and  Sunday  school  agents,  by  certificates,  I  frankly  confess, 
had  like  to  have  plagued  me.  May  this  good  hearted  humor- 
ous sister,  when  she  gets  to  heaven,  in-obedience  to  the  apos- 
tle's injunction,  bridle  that  unruly  member,  the  tongue,  and 
not  meet  with  a  similar  defeat,  is,  I  believe,  about  all  the  harm 
I  wish  her.  And  in  the  mean  time,  should  I  be  so  fortunate 
as  to  get  te  heaven  again,  the  next  time  I  die,  I  will  try  and 
be  more  on  my  guard. 

Query:  From  the  circumstance  of  my  having  been  cast 
«^out  of  heaven,"  must  I  not  have  gotten  there,  upon  Dr. 
Hopkins's  principles  of  nd4,ural  ability)  Certainly  1  must. 
For  the  scriptures  say,  all  who  get  there  by  grace,  thiough 
faith  m  the  Son  of  God,  ''go  out  no  more.''  And  if  all  who 
go  there  on  this  principle,  are  in  danger  of  being  driven  out, 
had  not  the  most  of  the  Hopkinsians  now  living,  better  do 
their  ^'first  works  over"  again?  Indeed,  editor  Hoyt,  of  the 
parish  of  Maryville,  in  publishing  his  philippics  soon  after 
this  occurrence,  in  common  with  other  editors,  remarked, 
that  on  a  certain  morning,  '^a  phenomena  appeared  in  the 
heavens,  which  greatly  alarmed  the  inhabit  ants  F'—ih^t  is, 
the  inhabitants  of  Heaven;  for  he  makes  a  full  stop  after  the  i 
word  inhabitants. 

Now,  brother  Hoyt  would  have  his  readers  believe,  that 
the  inhabitants  of  the  good  world  were  as  '^greatly  alarmed" 
on  seeing  the  meteors,  as  were  i\\Q  pious  priests  and  Levites 
of  Maryville,  on  hearing  that  the  Cholera  was  in  West  Ten- 
nessee! And,  I  suppose,  that  if  the  priests  themselves  had 
not  been  ^ ^greatly  alarmed,"  they  would  have  taken  the  ad- 
vantage of  the  occasion,  as  they  did  in  the  case  of  the  Cho- 
lera, and  thereby  produced  another  ^^great  revival"  of  reli- 
gion! 

But,  if  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  heaven  were  alarmed  on 
the  morning  of  the  memorable  thirteenth  of  November,  they 
must  have  been  Hopkinsians-,  for  sure  I  am,  that  no  persons 
who  have  gone  there  deigratia,  have  ever  been  alarmed  at  an 
occurrence  which  could  be  accounted  for  purely  on  principles 
of  philosophy.  For,  from  the  very  constitution  of  the  human 
mmd,  It  is  evident,  that  every  branch  of  science  is  reco«-- 
nized  and  fully  understood  by  the  righteous,  in  the  blessed 
world  above  us. 

If  the  considerations  now  adduced  be  admitted  to  have  any 


278  A  NARRATIVE 

force,  and  if  the  position  I  have  endeavored  to  establish,  can* 
not  be  overthrown,  either  on  scriptural  or  rational  grounds 
—it  must  follow,  I  think,  that  brother  Hoyt  is  altogether 
mistaken.  But  who  informed  him  that  the  inhabitants  of 
heaven  were  alarmed?  I  am  conscious  of  not  having  reported 
such  a  thing  on  my  return  to  earth.  He  must  have  gotten  his 
information  from  this  sagacious  lady! 

Upon  the  whole,  I  have  much  reason  to  rejoice  and  give 
thanks  for  what  I  heard,  and  seen,  and  felt,  during  this  year, 
and  to  regret  that  any  circumstance  should  have  occurred  to 
prevent  greater  good  from  being  done.  But  my  regrets, 
though  profound,  shall  be  temperate  and  resigned,  as  one  who  ;; 
mourns  over  a  dispensation  of  Providence  which  seems  to  i 
have  been  inevitable,  and  has  been  mercifully  delayed  far  be-  ) 
yondwhati  could  have  expected.  Deep,  sincere,  and  lasting, 
will  be  these  sensations,  and  mingled  with  them,  the  consola-  '' 
lory  reflection,  that  I  was  acting  correctly,  and  to  the  best  of  n 
my  pbilities,  endeavoring  to  promote  the  cause  of  truth. 

Dandridge,  and  the  country  round  about,  in  a  moral  point 
of  view,  is  a  cold,  unhealthy,  damp  and  foggy  region!  When 
in  this  region,  I  felt  pretty  much  as  I  suppose  Job  did,  when 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.     The  Hopkinsians  of  this  region, 
are  fully  as  hostile  to  Methodism,  as  any  set  1  ever  in^et  with. 
When  they  speak  of  the  Methodists,  they  do  it  without  cere- 
I  mony.     They  constantly  appoint   opposition  meetings,    to 
keep  their  members  from  attending  Methodist  meetings.     In        ; 
short,  they  oppose  Methodism  in  every  way;  and  latterly,       j 
they  have  opposed  it  under  a  false  pretence  of  friendship,  by      ,^. 
endeavoring  to  persuade  some  of  our  own  members  that  they      J 
feel  a  deep  concern  for  our  prosperity !  ^' 

Whenever  they  could  hear  of  any  one  that  had  fallen  out  ■";' 
with  7ne,  or  who  had  any  slang  to  retail  concerning  me,  they  ;^ 
would  flock  to,  and  hang  around  such  an  one,  like  famished  ^',; 
calves  around  a  parent  cow!  |J 

In  a  word,  their  employment  during  this  year,  with  here 
and  there  an  exception,  was,  to  either  ruminate  upon  the 
rugged  hills  of  malice,  or  to  skulk  about  in  the  hollow  caverns 
of  falsehood,  in  pursuit  of  those  whom  they  sought  to  devour. 
And  yet,  after  death,  they  expect  to  go  to  heaven.  It  is  de- 
voutly hoped  they  may.  But  the  heaven  to  which  they  are 
now  journeying,  I  fear,  is  a  dreadful  place,  the  geographical 
location  of  which  is  no  where,  and  whose  tenants  are  the  hag- 
gard phantoms  of  an  over-heated  imagination! 

"The  Lord,  the  Judge,  his  churches  warns j 
Let  hypocrites  attend  and  fear, 


OF   THE  XIFE,    &C.  S79 

Who  place  their  hopes  in  rites  and  forms. 
But  make  not  faith  nor  love  their  care. 

Wretches!  they  dare  rehearse  his  name. 

With  lips  of  falsehood  and  deceit; 
A  friend  or  brother  they  defame, 

And  soothe  and  flatter  those  they  hate." 

Tiiis  year,  at  the  request  of  the  editor  of  the  New-Market 
Telegraph,  I  wrote  several  articles  for  publication  in  his  pa- 
per— none  of  them  were  controversial.     I  wrote  over  the  sig- 
nature of  <^An  Observer;'^  and  as  it  was  not  known  who  the 
writer  was,  most  of  those  articles- were  quite  popular  w^ith  the 
Hopkinsians.     But   1  felt  confident  that  they  would  not  be 
received,  if  they  knew  who  the  writer  was.     Hence,  I  deter- 
mined  to  make  an  experiment.     I  wrote  an  article  headed, 
•^THERE  IS  A  GOD,"  and  endeavored  to  sustain  the  position  by 
adducing  the  evidences  oi  nature,   reason^  Si-ndi  revelation, 
making  known  at  the  same  time  time  that  I  was  the  author. 
WelL  as  strange  as  it  may  seem,  I  heard  of  two  or  three  per- 
sons^vhp  objected  to  the  article,  and  espoused  the  opposite 
side'^f  the  question,  saying  in  effect,  that  there  was  no  god! 
During  the  month  of  June,  in  this  year,  a  most  vulgar,  abu- 
sive, and   shameful  publication,    appeared  against  me  in  the 
New-Market  Telegraph,  entitled  a  ^ ^Protest, '^  and  having  the 
signature  of  a  poor  miserable  creature  tacked  on  to  it,  equally 
destitute  of  character  and  standing.     But,  I  did  not  let  myself 
down,  in  a  formal  way,  to  answer  the  publication  under  con- 
sideration; and  some  supposed,  from  this  consideration,  that 
I  admitted  the  allegations  it  contained  to  be  true.     The  truth 
is,  however,  I  did  not  wish  to  wage  either  a  defensive  or 
offensive  war  with  a  misnomer.     Nor  can  I  condescend  here- 
after, to  notice  in  any  way,  any  thing  emanating  from  any 
such  source,  unless  a  voucher,  or  endorser  of  some  note  can 
be  found  to  father  what  may  appear.     However,  it  has  since 
been  discovered,  that  this  production  was  written  by  a  Hop- 
kinsian  clergyman,  and  that  the  real  author  had  only  made  a 
caVs  paw  of  this  miserable  creature,  whose  name  accom- 
panies the  same.     The  author  of  the  piece,   however,  very 
artfully  introduced  a  quantity  of  bad  spelling,  and  sorry 
punctuation;  and  in  numbers,   he  generally  confounded  the 
singular  with  the  plural,  and    but   seldom    used  the  proper 
tense,  intending  thereby  to  influence  the  community  to  believe, 
that  his  relative  had  written  it  sure  enough. 

Early  in  the  month  of  August,  in  this  year,  a  small  circu- 
lar made  its  appearance  against  me,  purporting  to  be  an  ap- 
peal to  the  ^^obristian  public/*^  coming  from  the  meridian  of 


280  A  NARRATIYE 

Western  Carolina,  and  having  the  names  of  seventeen  men 
annexed  thereunto.  This  miserable  thing  was  afterwards 
published  in  tliue  "Christian  Index,  and  Baptist  Miscellany,'' 
a  religious  paper  published  in  Washington  Georgia,  a  few 
copies  of  which  found  their  way  into  Tennessee,  and  were 
read  with  great  avidity  by  the  ignorant  Baptists,  and  mali- 
cious Hopkinsians  of  my  acquaintance.  This  circular,  or 
^ ''half- sheet ^''  as  it  has  since  been  denominated,  was  intended 
to  be  a  reply  to  a  pamphlet  I  published  thirteen  months  before 
its  appearance,  consisting  of  thirty-six  octavo  pages.  Some 
few  of  the  signers  of  this  document,  incline  to  the  Hopkin- 
sians; others  of  them  are  the  oldest  and  most  bigotted  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  church  in  that  country;  and  others  of  them, 
as  the  saying  is,  lean  towards  the  Baptists.  And  six  out  of 
the  seventeen,  are  the  relatives  of  the  Baptist  preacher  with 
whom  I  had  the  law-suit!  In  short,  I  have  recently  learned, 
that  only  one  man  out  of  the  seventeen  can  be  considered,  in 
any  respect,  friendly  to  the  Methodist  church;  and  this  poor 
little  man  permitted  the  Baptists  to  make  a  tool  of  him,  in 
order  to  accomplish  some  political  ends.  In  proof  of  their 
opposition  to  the  Methodist  church,  they  style  the  Metho- 
dists in  that  country  a  ^  ^lawless  mobP'  As  to  the  number  of 
names  attached  to  this  circular,  I  care  not  for  this  circum- 
stance. For  had  the  writer  written  ten  times  as  much  more, 
and  had  it  been  ten  times  as  slanderous  as  it  is,  these  men 
would  have  stuck  their  paws  to  it.  And  if  the  Ji7^m  will  yet 
take  the  pains  to  come  to  Tennessee,  they  may  fmd  one  hun- 
di^ed persons,  who  will  either  certify  or  swear,  any  thing 
against  me,  their  malice  and  ingenuity  may  dictate.  Still,  I 
st^nd  as  fair,  and  have  as  many  friends  in  Tennessee  as  I  de- 
sire to  have.  But  these  certifiers  never  advance  an  argu- 
ment in  their  production.  Take  for  example  the  following 
sentence: — "The  evidence  is  so  caricatured,  that  it  is  impossi- 
ble for  any  person  to  understand,  from  the  reading  of  his 
.pamphlet,  any  thing  in  truth  about  the  matter! ! !''  Now  it  is 
a  little  strange,  that  there  should  not  be  "«???/  thing  iii  truth, ^^ 
concerning  a  certain  matter,  in  a  pamphlet  of  thirty-six  pages, 
w^ien  that  whole  pamphlet  too,  was  written  upon  that  one 
single  subject!  As  to  the  impossibility  of  understanding  the 
pamphlet,  I  have  no  doubt  but  those  persons  against  whom  it 
was  written,  would  rejoice,  could  they  believe  it  had  not  been 
read  and  fully  understood  by  thousands.  With  what  unpar- 
donable laxity  these  certifiers  have  written!  The  whole 
pamphlet  is  false!  And  why  is  it  false?  Why,  because!  Be- 
cause what?     Just  because  it  is ! !     Exquisite  reasoning  this ! ! ! 


or   THE   LIFE,    &C.  281 

However,  with  a  certain  class  of  jDersons,  strong  assertions 
have  great  weight. 

After  an  attentive  perusal  of  this  affair,  I  hesitated  whether 
I  ought  to  take  any  notice  of  it  or  not.  However,  I  ultimate- 
ly replied  to  it,  in  a  pamphlet  of  twelve  pages.  This  hesita- 
tion, however,  did  notarise  from  any  conviction  on  my  part, 
of  the  difficulty  of  answering  it;  but  mostly  from  an  unwill- 
ingness to  make  something  out  of  Jiot/iiyig.  For  surely  he 
must  be  very  indifferently  employed,  who  would  take  upon 
himself  to  answer  nonsense  in  form;  to  ridicule  what  is  of 
itself  ridiculous;  and  trouble  the  world  to  read  a  second 
something,  for  the  sake  of  the  impertinences  of  a  former — 
to  which  his  is  a  reply. 

In  conclusion,  I  know  not  to  what  school  of  viorals  I  shall 
trace  the  unblushing  and  false  charges  with  which  this  circu- 
lar abounds.  The  guilt  of  lying,  which  attaches  itself  to  the 
features  of  the  thing,  is  that  of  the  most  odious  kind;  it  is  guilt, 
the  offspring  of  malice,  illy  reflected  on,  deeply  corrupt, 
shamefully  false,  and  secretly  though  badly  matured. 

Steam  Doctors! — During  this  year,  in  the  county  of  Jef- 
ferson, I  renewed  my  acquaintance  with  a  species  of  vermin 
caHed  ^eam  doctors.  During  the  spring  and  summer  of 
1833,  in  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  I  became  personally  ac- 
quainted with  several  of  these  miscreants,  and  with  feelings 
of  indescribable  horror,  I  witnessed  the  spread  of  carnao-e, 
rapine  and  death,  under  their  administration;  and  I  then  hop- 
ed, I  might  never  meet  with  them  again.  But  alas!  I  found 
them  in  great  abundance  in  this  part  of  Tennessee.  These 
miserable  victims  to  human  refinement  and  intelligence,  o-o 
about  transforming  portions  of  gum,  pepper  and  alcohol,  into 
a  strong  decoction  called  number  six;  and  by  a  sort  of  me- 
chanical process,  they  steam  the  animal  life  out  of  a  man,  al- 
most in  a  moment,  and  thus  cause  him,  in  short  order,  to  ex- 
change an  earthly,  for  a  heavenly  inheritance!  These  are 
wonderful  men!  Their  mental  eyes  survey  the  whole  circle 
of  the  science  of  medicine,  and  point  out  the  path  by  which 
every  branch  of  knowledge  may  be  carried  to  perfection! 
They  can  detach  the  element  of  fire  from  the  invisible  air, 
surrounding  a  weed  called  lobelia,  and  cause  the  strongest 
constitution,  and  the  stoutest  frame  to  melt  like  wax  under  its 
powerful  agency !  These  steamers  can  go  still  farther.  They 
can  penetrate  beyond  the  limits  of  all  that  is  visible  in  the 
immense  world  of  experiments,  and  range  amidst  the  infmi- 
ty  of  unknown  systems  and  worlds  dispersed  throughout  the 
boundless  regions  of  Thomsonianismy3Lnd  they  can  overleap  the 
y2 


282  A   NARRATITE 

bounds  of  time,  and  expatiate  amidst  future  scenes  of  misery, 
and  pain,  and  suffering,  and  man-slaughter,  and  murder, 
which  ^^eye  hath  not  seen,"  nor  even  ''ear  heard, '^  through- 
out the  countless  ages  of  their  infamous  duration! 

Socrates,  Plato,  Archimedes,  Newton,  Locke,  Boyle,  La 
Place,  and  all  other  similar  illustrious  characters,  0  that  you 
were  now  living!  that  you  might  witness  a  demonstration  of 
the  vast  capacity  of  the  human  intellect,  the  extensive  range 
of  thought  it  is  capable  of  prosecuting,  and  the  immense  num- 
ber of  ideas  it  is  capable  of  acquiring!  Esculapius,thou  father 
of  the  science  of  medicine,  Rush,  and  all  others  who  have 
since  written,  and  all  ye  knowing  men,  so  far  as  the  science  of 
inedicine  is  concerned,  0  that  you  were  yet  living!  that  you 
might  witness  the  new  discoveries  in  the  healing  art,  which 
these  reforr)iers  are  making!  And  ye  sublimer  sciences  of 
Geometry,  Trigonometry,  Conic  Sections,  Fluxions,  Algebra, 
and  other  branches  of  mathematics,  stand  aside,  and  see 
Thomsonianism  evince  the  acuteness  and  perspicacity  of  the 
human  intellect!  Our  world  has  produced  numerous  philan- 
thropic characters,  who  have  shone  as  lights  in  the  moral 
world,  and  have  acted  as  benefactors  to  the  human  race.  But 
the  names  of  Alfred,  Penn,  Barnard,  Raikes,  Neilde,  Clark- 
son,  Sharpe,  Buxton,  Wilberforce,  Venning,  and  many  oth- 
ers, so  familiar  to  all  who  are  at  all  acquainted  with  the  an- 
nals of  benevolence,  must  give  way  to  these  new-comers! 
These  illustrious  steamers,  from  a  principle  of  pure  benevo- 
lence, devote  their  lives  to  active  beneficence,  and  to  the  al- 
leviation of  human  wretchedness,  in  every  section  where  they 
travel, — diving  into  the  depths  of  coves,  and  exposing  them- 
selves to  the  infectious  atmospheres  of  towns  and  villages,  in 
order  to  meliorate  the  condition  of  the  afflicted! 

From  realm  to  realm  with  cross  or  crescent  crowned, 

Where'er  mankind  and  misery  are  found. 

O'er  towering-  mountains,  deep  vallies,  or  wilds  of  snow. 

These  s^ea^ner^  journeying  seek  the  house  of  woe! 

They  go,  inemulous  of  fame  or  wealth, 

Profuse  of  toil  and  prodig-al  of  health; 

Lead  stern-ey'd  calomel  to  certain  dark  domains, 

If  not  to  sever — to  re/ax  its  chains; 

Persecuted  and  opposed,  by  the  living  and  the  dead, 

Regardless  of  them  all,  as  Crockett  says,  they  "go  aheadP' 

Onward  they  move!  disease  and  death  retire. 

While  the  Old  Faculty  hate  them  and  admire. 

But  as  a  supplement  to  the  preceding  eulogy,  it  may  be  se- 
riously asked, — is  it  possible  that  an  obscure,  and  ordinary 
citizen,  possessing  neither  learning  nor  superior  powers  of  in- 
tellect, and  having  read  but  very  few  books  of  any  kind,  can 


or  THE  LIFE,   &c.  283 

spring  up  like  a  mushroom — purchase  ''«  rvghf^  for  twenty 
dollars — and  all  of  a  sudden,  become  fully  acquainted  with 
the  human  system,  and  the  various  and  complicated  diseases 
of  our  country,  and  as  suddenly  effect  a  cure  for  them  all?  If 
such  a  supposition  could  be  admitted,  man  would  be  the  most 
inexplicable  phenomenon  in  the  universe;  his  existence  an 
unfathomable  mystery;  and  there  could  be  no  conceivable 
mode  of  reconciling  his  condition  and  destination  Avith  the 
wisdom,  the  rectitude,  and  the  benevolence  of  his  Creator!  I 
do  not  say  that  all  the  steam-doctors  are  ignorant  and  unlearn- 
ed; but  in  the  language  of  St.  Paul,  I  do  say,  that  the  most  of 
them  have  "stretched  themselves  beyond  their  rneasure,^'  and 
that  they  <*boast  in  another  man's  line  of  things."  And  not 
one  in  ten  of  these  steaming  crusaders,  who  are  marching 
in  such  wild  confusion  through  the  country,  can  distinguish 
between  the  muscles  and  bones  belonging  to  the  human  frame, 
and  the  lacteal  and  lymphatic  vessels  of  the  same;  or  the  veins 
and  arteries  belonging  to  man,  and  the  tympanum  of  his  ear! 

Now,  there  is  one  consideration,  which,  apprt  from  all  oth- 
ers, is  of  itself  sufficient,  to  forever  fix  the  doom  of  this  sys- 
tem of  practice.  It  is  this:  they  apply  the  same  remedy  to 
all  sorts  of  complaints.  All  who  know  any  thing  about  dis- 
eases and  remedies,  know  very  well  that  that  which  relieves 
a  person  in  certain  cases  of  affliction,  is  death  to  the  individual 
inothercases.  And  though  this  odious  prodigy  of  would-be 
doctors^  has  now  become  almost  as  numerous  as  the  croakino- 
fry  of  Egypt;  and  though  I  perceive  no  limits  to  the  excur- 
sions of  these  man-killers,  but  those  which  arise  from  the  tri- 
umphant march  of  common  sense;  yet,  until  I  wish  to  ex- 
change worlds,  or  find  myself  chained  down,  as  it  were,  with 
an  un wieldly  corporeal  frame,  1  will  never  suffer  one  of  them 
to  come  about  me.  I  have  never  had  any  sickness  in  my  life, 
(thanks  be  to  God  for  his  mercies,)  and  consequently  have 
never  needed  a  physician  of  any  kind,  farther  than  to  give 
me  some  one  or  two  simple  doses  of  medicine;  but  should  I 
ever  need  one,  and  one  of  the  old  school  cannot  be  had,  I  shall 
certainly  prefer  dying  a  natural  death,  to  being  killed.  How- 
ever, we  live  in  a  free  country,  and  all  who  prefer  steaming 
have  a  right  to  be  steamed,  or  hanged,  or  drowned,  or  put  to 
rest  in  such  other  way  as  they  may  choose. 

But  in  conclusion,  I  will  take  the  liberty  of  advising  the 
Methodist  clergy,  generally,  to  have  nothing  at  all  to  do  with 
this  pepper  and  whiskey  system  of  practice.  It  will  do  very 
w^ell  to  connect  this  system  of  practice  with  the  womanish, 
squeaking,  canting,  odd,  whimsical,  whining  tone,  and  insip- 


284  A    XARRATITE 

id  jargon  of  a  Baptist  preacher.  Or  it  would  suit  the  cold- 
blooded selfishness  of  a  Hopkinsian  priest,  who  believes  that 
the  introduction  of  moral  evil  into  the  world,  is  for  the  great- 
est good  of  the  universe!  But  never  let  a  Methodist  preach- 
er, who  believes  that  men  are  to  be  judged  according  to  their 
works,  have  any  thing  to  do  with  the  wretched  system.  Nor 
never  let  a  Methodist  preacher  use  the  medicines,  unless,  in 
the  language  of  Job,  he  prefers  "strangling  and  deatli,  rather 
than  life.'-*  And  let  a  Methodist  preacher,  instead  of  read- 
ing these  doctor  books,  read  that  noble  and  excellent  book,  the 
old  records  of  God's  providence.  Finally,  there  is  nothing 
more  disgusting  to  me,  than  to  see  a  Methodist  minister  with 
a  Bible  and  hymn  book  in  one  end  of  his  saddle-bags,  and  a 
large  black  bottle  full  of  number .52a?,  stopped  with  acorn  cob, 
having  a  rag  round  it,  in  the  other  end !  Well  may  the  Pres- 
byterians charge  such  with  being  incompetent.  Brethren, 
quit  it!  For  God's  sake — for  your  own  credit's  sake-— and 
for  the  sake  of  the  honor  of  Methodism,  quit  it!  And  let  all 
our  people  say  amen! 

lioLSTON  Seminary. — In  the  close  of  thisyear,  I  attended 
the  semi-annual  examination  of  this  institution,  which  took 
place  in  the  hall  of  the  seminary.  The  exercises  were  con- 
ducted under  the  special  directions  of  Mr.  Saffel,  the  presi- 
dent of  the  institution,  and  in  his  usually  prompt  and  efficient 
manner,  who,  on  the  last  day  of  the  examination  read  an  elo- 
quent, learned,  and  appropriate  address.  The  students  were 
all  examined  very  minutely,  in  the  various  branches  of  liter- 
ature in  which  they  had  been  engaged  during  the  session,  and 
in  the  hearing  of  a  number  of  visiters,  acquitted  themselves 
with  great  honor.  On  the  last  day  of  the  examination,  the 
students  closed  by  delivering,  each,  an  oration,  of  original 
composition;  and  in  this,  particularly,  the)^  did  themselves 
great  honor,  and  greatly  delighted  the  listening  auditory. 

The  friends  of  this  institution  may  rest  assured,  that  East 
Tennessee  does  not  afford  a  finer  young  man  than  Mr.  Saffel, 
or  one  better  qualified,  in  every  respect,  io  take  charge  of  an 
institution  of  the  kind;  and  the  conference  which  appointed 
him  to  preside  over  it,  has  more  than  once  expressed  its  en- 
tire satisfaction  as  to  the  manner  in  which  he  has  performed 
his  arduous  duties. 

I  thus  particularize,  because  I  wish  to  recommend  this  in- 
stitution to  all,  into  whose  hand  a  copy  of  this  work  shall  falL 

This  seminary,  was  set  on  foot  three  years  ago,  under  the 
patronage  of  the  Holston  annual  conference,  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  members  and 


OF    THE  LIFE,   &C.  285 

friends  of  said  church,  who  desire  an  opportunity  of  giving 
their  children  an  education,  on  reasonable  terms,  without  en- 
dangering both  their  religious  principles  and  moral  habits — as 
is  the  case  at  our  public  colleges  and  academies.  Still,  ours 
is  not  a  theological  institution. 

The  town  in  which  this  seminary  is  located — New-Market, 
Jefferson  county,  Tennessee — is  a  beautiful  little  village, 
situated  in  one  of  the  most  fertile  vallies  in  the  state. 

Beside  the  advantages  already  named,  and  many  others  not 
named,  which  this  institution  possesses — I  would  mention  the 
cheapness  of  tuition  and  boarding. 

Once  more:  The  time  has  at  length  arrived,  when  the  trus- 
tees of  this  institution,  have  found  themselves  able  to  com- 
mence the  manual  labor  system,  in  connexion  with  the 
seminary,  by  means  of  which,  industrious  and  promising 
young  men,  destitute  of  pecuniary  means,  may  acquire  an 
education. 

During  this  year,  I  incurred  the  sore  displeasure  of  the 
Hopkinsiansby  circulating  a  pamphlet  entitled,  "Calvinism, 
and  its  influence  on  the  church,"  written  and  published  by 
Rev.  James  Gumming,  a  minister  of  high  standing  in  the 
Holston  conference.  I  had  no  further  connexion  with  this 
production,  than  simply  to  circulate  it;  and  this  I  did  with 
great  pleasure.  This  pamphlet  is  well  written,  and  for  its 
size,  is  the  best  exposition  of  the  kind  I  have  ever  seen.  And 
the  truth  is,  it  is  unanswerable.  The  Hopkinsians,  however, 
have  replied  to  it,  in  the  way  they  generally  reply  to  a  pro- 
duction of  the  kind, — they  have  affected  to  treat  it  with  silent 
contempt! 

1834. — Knoxville,  Ten.,  October  15lh.  Our  conference  is 
now  in  session  in  this  place,  and  has  been  since  Wednesday, 
the  8th  of  this  instant.  Our  bishop  having  failed  to  attend 
with  us,  from  some  unknown  cause,  we  have  called  our  es- 
teemed friend  and  brother,  John  Henninger,  to  the  chair, 
who  has  filled  the  highly  responsible  station  in  such  way,  as 
to  do  honor  to  himself,  and  at  the  same  time  give  general  sat- 
isfaction to  the  conference. 

The  preachers  have  generally  attended,  and  are  in  the  en- 
joyment of  usual  health  and  spirits.  Thus,  God  in  his  good- 
ness has  rolled  us  together  once  more.  What  changes  have 
been  witnessed  since  we  assembled  last!  How  many  of  our 
friends  have  gone  to  reap  their  reward  in  heaven,  while  we 
have  been  spared  as  monuments  of  unchanging  goodness! 
Yes,  the  recurrence  of  another  annual  meeting,  in  the  history 
of  our  conference,  calls  for  the  public  expression  of  our  grati- 


ass  A  NARRATIVE 

tude  to  the  great  Head  of  the  church,  that  we  have  been  pri- 
vileged one  time  more,  to  mingle  our  praises  and  thanksgiv- 
ings together  here  in  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  and  in  cele- 
brating the  prosperity  of  our  efforts.  As  ministers,  these 
thoughts  should  lead  us  to  a  serious  examination  of  our  hearts 
before  God,  to  ascertain  whether  or  not  we  are  growing  wiser 
and  better  in  proportion  to  the  privileges  we  enjoy,  and  the 
opportunity  of  improvement  afforded  us.  The  year  just  past, 
has  been  replete  with  such  events,  as  have  left  the  public  mind 
in  that  state  of  excitement  which  is  not  very  friendly  to  the 
prosperity  of  religion.  And  even  now,  both  the  civil  and 
religious  atmospheres,  seem  highly  charged  with  combustible 
materials.  What  the  final  issue  of  all  these  things  will  be, 
time  alone  can  tell.  However,  in  the  midst  of  the^^signs  of 
the  times,''  God  has  abundantly  blessed  the  labors  of  his  ser- 
vants, in  various  parts  of  the  world. 

From  this  conference  I  hope  to  be  enabled  to  date  the  com- 
mencement of  the  reign  of  reform^— z.  most  signal  triumph 
of  Wesleyan  itinerancy  over  a  sort  of  legalized  stmi-iXxxi- 
erancy. 

It  is  manifest  that  our  people  are  on  the  eve  of  revolting 
in  disgust  from  an  established  local  travelling  ministry. 
For  one,  I  rejoice  to  think  that  our  conference  is  about  to  be 
redeemed  from  the  sway  of  a  miserable  system  of  '^accom- 
modotions,^'  whose  whole  course  for  several  years  past,  has 
tended  to  anarchy  and  destruction,  in  a  moral  point  of  view. 
By  this,  I  mean  that  we,  as  a  conference,  have,  for  several 
years  past,  paid  too  much  attention  to  ihe  interests  oi  indi- 
viduals, and  not  enough  to  the  wants  of  the  circuits  and  sta- 
tions within  our  bounds.  These  remarks  are  correct.  They 
are  truth — every  word  truth. 

As  a  conference,  we  have  an  immense  field  spread  out  be- 
fore us,  and  great  encouragement  to  labor.  I  say  encourage- 
ment to  labor ^  for  I  apprehend  that  some  of  our  friends  have 
incorrect  ideas  of  the  real  state  of  things,  and  having  heard 
so  much  of  the  triumphs  of  the  cross  in  different  parts  of  the 
country,  and  of  the  utter  defeat  and  ruin  of  so  many  enemies 
of  the  Son  of  God,  are  disposed  to  regard  the  soldiers  they 
have  sent  hither,  rather  as  a  garrison  quartered  in  an  enemy's 
country  in  a  time  of  profound  peace,  than  as  an  army  with 
theit  weapons  in  their  hands,  daily  meeting  and  contending 
with  the  foes  of  their  king.  But,  I  must  not  be  regarded  as 
attempting  to  discourage  the  exertions,  to  deaden  the  hopes, 
and  to  quell  the  spirits  of  our  friends  by  proclaiming  to  the 
world,  that  nothing  is  doing  in  the  Holston  conference.    Nor 


OF  THE  IIFB,   &C.  287 

is  there  alack  of  harmony  in  our  conference.  Nor  yet,  do 
the  tongues  of  our  preachers,  when  in  the  pulpit,  dance  only 
to  the  jingle  of  the  dollars  and  cents  in  the  people's  treasury, 
as  is  the  case  with  some  of  our  clerical  neighbors.  Of  such 
neighbors,  I  have  only  to  say,  I  am  puzzled  to  account  for 
their  conduct  upon  any  known  principle  of  ministerial 
fidelity. 

That  which  has  most  particularly  arrested  my  attention  at 
this  conference,  is  the  circumstance  of  so  many  of  the  preach- 
ers having  married  the  past  year.  Never  have  I  known 
so  many  of  them  to  marry  in  one  year.  But,  I  cannot  object 
to  this, — for,  as  Cowper,  who  by  the  by,  was  a  hypochondriac 
old  bachelor,  asked, 

"What  is  there,  in  the  vale  of  life, 
Half  so  delig-htful  as  a  wife?'' 

Old  bachelor!  are  you  so  lost  to  a  sense  of  the  pleasures  and 
enjoyments  of  a  married  life,  that  you  can  remain  contented 
in  a  state  of  ^'single  blessedness,'^  while  the  old  and  young, 
tlie  middle  aged,  and  all  around  you,  are  joining  their  ^e^r/^- 
and  hands  in  this  lawful  and  scriptural  enterprise?  But  do 
you  excuse  yourself  on  the  ground,  that  no  one  seems  willing 
to  have  you?  This  is  by  no  means  a  plausible  excuse;  for  it 
is  well  known,  that  every  old  widow,  m.aid,  and  girl,  in  all  the 
country,  d.YQ  candidates  iov  matrimony. 

As  an  individual,  I  have  ever  stood  aloof  from  every  thing 
like  coquetry,  and  I  hope  ever  to  do  so.  The  truth  is,  no 
gentleman  ever  did  or  ever  will,  make  a  constant  practice  of 
courting  every  girl  he  might  chance  to  meet  with,  and  impress 
the  belief  upon  her  mind  that  he  intended  to  marry  her,  &c. 
Much  less  would  a  christian  minister  act  thus.  And  although 
I  never  was  engaged  to  be  married,  and  never  even  asked  a 
female  to  marry  me  in  my  life,  yet,  I  have  some  good  desires^ 
as  the  Hopkinsians  would  say,  on  this  subject;  and  I  think  it 
quite  probable,  I  shall  some  day  or  other,  make  some  amoroUvS 
advances  towards  some  one.  For,  born  as  man  obviously  is, 
for  the  companionship  of  his  fellows,  it  must  be  evident  that 
the  main  tendencies  and  aptitudes  Of  his  nature,  should  every 
day  be  looked  for  in  connexion  with  his  social  relationships. 
And  the  marriage  ceremony  is  the  most  interesting  spectacle 
social  life  exhibits.  To  see  two  rational  beings  in  the  glow  of 
youth  and  hope,  which  invests  life  with  a  *<halo  of  glory," 
appear  together,  and  openly  acknowledging  their  preference 
for  each  other,  voluntarily  enter  into  a  league  of  perpetual 
friendship,  and  christian  union — is  it  not  delightful?  Be  con- 
stant my  brother — be  condescending  my  sister — and  what  can 


288  A  NARRATIVE 

earth  offer  so  pure  as  your  friendship,  so  dear  as  your  affection? 
Well  might  Virgil  say: — 

<'The  wife  and  husband  equally  conspire, 
To  work  by  night,  and  rake  the  winter  fire; 
He  sharpens  torches  in  the  glimmering  room; 
She  shoots  the  flying  shuttle  through  the  loom; 
Or  boils  in  kettles  must  of  wine,  and  skims. 
With  leaves,  the  dregs  that  overflow  the  brims; 
And  till  the  watchful  cock  awake  the  day, 
She  sings  to  drive  the  tedious  hours  away ." 

As  my  book  is  now  printing,  I  have  gone  to  the  office  and 
examined  that  part  which  is  ready  for  folding.  I  consider 
that  the  type  for  its  size  is  very  good,  and  seems  to  be  well 
distributed  over  the  page;  so  that  the  words  are  every  where 
sufficiently  distinct,  which  is  not  always  the  case  with  the 
books  printed  in  this  country.  The  paper  is  good — the  ink 
very  good,  and  the  typographical  execution  quite  respectable. 
Of  course  I  think  the  matter  is  excellent.  I  am  also  of 
opinion,  that  the  punctuation  is  at  least  passable.  But  my 
readers,  I  presume,  w^ill  not,  as  do  the  Mahommedans,  con- 
sider the  points  essential. 

This  work,  from  first  to  last,  be  it  well  or  zV/ executed,  has 
not  been  done  without  great  labor  and  toil,  on  my  part,  nor 
has  any  labor  been  omitted,  to  make  it,  in  every  respect,  as 
far  as  possible,  what  the  title  page  promises — '^Helps  to  the 
study  of  Presbyterianism,^^  &c.  Thus,  through  the  mercir 
ful  assistance  of  God,  my  labor  now  terminates,  a  labor  which, 
were  it  yet  to  be  commenced,  I  would,  in  view  of  its  being 
called  for,  most  cheerfully  undertake.  Since  it  is  finished,  I 
regret  not  the  labor:  while  writing  it  I  have  had  "the  testimony 
of  a  good  conscience." 

Having  critically  and  cautiously  examined  a  point  in  the 
prosecution  of  this  work,  I  have  fearlessly  followed  the  con- 
victions of  my  own  mind,  without  servilely  crouching  to  the 
opinions  of  others,  whether  right  or  wrong.  Having  care- 
fully studied  a  subject,  deriving  all  the  light  I  could  from 
every  source  within  my  reach,  without  timidly  calculating  the 
consequences  which  might  result  from  publishing  my  con- 
victions in  reference  to  it,  I  have  boldly  proclaimed  what  I 
conscientiously  believed,  allowing  others  the  liberty  of  think- 
ing, writing,  speaking,  and  acting  for  themselves.  And, 
while  this  fearless  course  subjects  me  to  censure  from  the 
timid,  as  well  as  unmerited  abuse  from  the  bigotted,  it  will 
relieve  me  from  servilely  imitating  others,  and  secure  to  me 
the  approbation  of  an  approving  conscience.  And  let  my 
occupation  in  future  life  be  what  it  may,  God  forbid  that  I 


or  THE  IIFE,    &C.  289 

ever  should  pursue  "that  timid  and  vascillating  course  of  con- 
duct, which  evinces  a  greater  solicitude  to  please  the  multi- 
tude than  to  arrive  at  truth,  and  to  obtain  popular  applause  at 
the  expense  of  a  good  conscience!  And  may  the  Lord  pity 
the  man,  who  would  compromit  his  character,  by  prostrating 
'  principle,  before  the  idol  of  popularity! 

At  this  conference,  which  has  just  closed,  I  have  been  ap- 
pointed to  travel  the  Scott  circuit,  in  Virginia.  I  shall  set  out 
for  the  circuit  in  a  few  days.  I  am  told  this  circuit  is  situated 
in  the  niountainous  part  of  the  state — in  a  fine  grazing  coun- 
try, which  enables  the  farmer  to  raise  stock,  &c.  The  val- 
lies  between  the  mountains  are  generally  fertile,  and  produce 
excellent  grain. 

Religion.  Methodists  are  the  most  numerousdenomination. 
Next  to  these,  the  Baptists. 

Climate.     Scott  county  enjoys  a  mild  climate. 
The  weather  is  generally  moderate  till  towards  Christmas, 
when   winter  commences,   and  continues  variable  till   the 
middle  of  March,  sometimes  pleasant,  and  at  other  times  dis- 
agreeable. 

The  life  of  a  Methodist  travelling  preacher,  with  all  its 
losses,  crosses,  and  disappointments,  has  nevertheless  been  ? 
pleasant  one  td  me;  and  had  its  vicissitudes. been  more  numer- 
ous and  grievous  than  they  even  were,  I  should  not  have 
retired  from  the  field.     On  every  circuit  I  have  travelled, 
there  have  been  acts  of  kindness  paid  to  me,  which,  though 
I  can  never  repay  them  in  this  life,  I  will  never  forget  them. 
Kind  attentions  are  at  all  times  pleasant,  but  when  one  is  far 
from  home,  and  among  strangers,  it  is  delightful  indeed  to 
meet  with  those  who  are  kind  and  afiectionate.     My  stay  on 
each  circuit,  has  of  course  been  short,  but  I .  shall  long  re- 
member the  polite,  yea,  the  christian  friendship  of  many 
persons  on  those  circuits.     There  is  something  in  these  tran- 
sient attachments  which  shows  us  that  we  were  born  to  do 
each  other  good,  notwithstanding  all  the  evil  there  is  in  the 
world.     But  to  many  of  those  friends,,  whose  kindness  in- 
duced me  to  love  them  as  relations,  I  have  long  since  bid  a 
last  adieu,  perhaps,  no  more  to  meet,  till, 
* 'Wrapt  in  fire  the  realms  of  ether  glow, 
Andheaven*s  last  onset  shakes  the  world  below." 
And  0  Lord,  irradiate  our  minds  with  all  useful  truth,  instil 
into  our  hearts  a  spirit  of  benevolence,  give  us  understanding, 
meekness,  temperance,  fortitude,  patience,  and  aH  the  excel- 
lent graces  of  the   Spirit.     Be  indulgent  to  our  imperfect 
nature,  and  supply  our  imperfections  with  thy  heavenly  faror. 


290  A  NAKRATIVE 


CONCLUSION. 

I  have  a  few  remarks  to  make  on  some  four  or  five  point:^^ 
before  I  finall)^  close.  As  a  man,  and  as  a  minister,  I  am  ob- 
jected to  from  several  considerations,  by  many  within  the 
circle  of  my  acquaintance.  Every  man  living,  has  those 
within  his  vicinity  who  hate,  who  envy,  and  affect  to  despise 
l^imj — these  will  see  his  actions  with  a  jaundiced  eye,  and 
will  represent  them  to  others  in  the  same  light  in  which  they 
themselves  behold  them.  No  virtue,  no  prudence,  no  cau- 
tion or  generosity,  can  preserve  a  man  from  misrepresenta- 
tions; his  conduct  must  be  judged  of  by  weak  and  prejudiced 
intellects,  or  by  such  as  only  see  a  part  of  it,  and  hastily 
form  a  judgment  of  the  whole.  Well  might  the  poet  say: — 
"When  cruel  slander  takes  her  impious  flight. 
What  man's  secure  against  her  baleful  sway, 

'  Virtue  herself  must  sink  in  shades  of  night. 

And  spotless  innocence  must  fall  a  prey." 

I  will  state  the  several  objections  urged  against  me,  and  an- 
swer them  in  detail.  I  say  I  hasten  to  reply  to  these  several 
objections,  with  the  hope  that  my  remarks  will  be  read — care- 
fully and  candidly  read — by  every  class  of  readers.  I  intend 
no  quibbling — no  special  pleading.  I  shall  plead  upon  the 
broad  merits  of  the  case      First, 

Inconsistency  of  character. — -This   is  the  most  com- 
mon, though  not  the  most  inconsiderable  objection  to  me,  as 
a  minister.     By  the  term  inconsistency,  we  are  to  understand 
a  disagreement — incongruity.     When,  therefore,  it  is  urged 
that  I  am  ■  inconsistent,  it  is  not  intended  to  say  that  I  am 
hypocritical,  or  that  I  am  clad  with  a  tissue  of  deception,  by 
which  I  impose  on  my  fellow-creatures.     I  am  glad  of  this, 
for  of  all  the  offspring  of  depravity,  deception,  perhaps,  bears 
the  nearest  resemblance  to  its  father  the  devil.     But  to  the 
subject.     It  is  true,  I  cannot  mingle  in  my  looks,  the  piety  of 
Abraham,  the  meekness  of  Moses,  and  the  fervor  of  Isaiah; 
nor  am  \  exact  to  a  degree  of  scrupulosity  in  small  matters, 
and  at  the  same  time  neglect  the  most  important  points  in  the 
law  of  God.     I  have  never  thought  myself  deputed  from  hea- 
ven for  the  general  reformation  of  manners,  nor  would  I  try 
all  men  at  my  bar.     Nor  yet,  am  I  one  of  those  blind  guides, 
who  would  strain  at  a  gnat  and  swallow  a  camel.  I  have  my 
faults,  no  doubt,  as  well  as  all  other  men — I  am  not  infalli- 
hie,  because  I  am  not  immortal.     There  are  spots  in  the  sun 
— r-there  are  specks  in  me.     I  am  a  man,  and  therefore  liable 


OF  THE  iirE,  kc,  291 

to  err.  Yes,  I  am  a  right  dovm  man,  and  without  any  sort 
of  disguise,  I  exhibit  to  the  world  what  I  am.  In  a  word, 
many  say,  *^Lo!  here  is  Christ,  or  Christ  is  there;"  but  few 
can  consistently  witness  that  ^'the  kingdom  of  heaven  is 
within  them»'^     With  more  truth  than  ever,  we  may  say: — 

'•Ye  difftrent  sects,  who  all  declare, 

Lo!  here  is  Christ,  or  Christ  is  there; 

Your  stronger  proofs  divinely  give, 

And  show  us  where  the  christians  live  5 

Your  claim,  alas!  ye  cannot  prove. 

Ye  want  the  genuine  mark  of  love." 

A  GREAT    MANY    PERSONS  DISLIKE  ME. To  this  I    reply? 

that  every  man  who  does  his  duty  in  life,  in  the  uncompro- 
mising spirit  of  integrity,  must  make  enemies,  and  meet  with 
opposition.  Daniel,  Isaiah,  Micah,  Elijah,  and  all  the  Lord's 
faithful  prophets,  had  their  enemies.  So  had  Peter,  arid  Paul, 
and  James,  and  the  rest  of  the  apostles.  In  modern  times, 
what  man  had  more  enemies  than  Luther? — And  Knox,  and 
Wesley,  and  Fletcher,  and  Whitfield:  not  comparing  myself 
to  them  however.  Even  the  mild  and  amiable  Son  of  the 
Most  High,  could  not  escape  the  persecutions  of  the  wicked. 
And  every  faithful  witness  for  the  Saviowr,  may  expect  to  be 
constantly  exposed  to  the  enmity  of  evil  doers.  While  I 
dwell  in  a  *'house  of  clay  whose  foundation  is  in  the  dust;'' 
while  I  sojourn  in  '^a  land  of  pits  and  snares, '^  and  within 
^'the  region  of  the  shadow  of  death:''  while  I  walk  amidst 
scenes  of  sorrow  and  suffering,  surrounded  by  *^the  tents  of 
strife,"  and  exposed  to  the  malice  of  ^^lyinglips  and  deceitful 
tongues,"  I  am  admonished  not  to  make  any  other 'calcula- 
tions, but  to  <*suffer  for  righteousness'  sake."  As  long  as  1  live, 
I  expect  to  stand  as  a  mark,  for  the  vengeance  of  cankered 
hearts,  and  the  malice  of  envenomed  tongues.  Nor  do  I  even 
desire  a  different  state  of  things. 

**No  glory  I  covet,  no  riches  I  want. 

Ambition  is  nothing*  to  me; 
The  one  thing  I  beg  of  kind  heaven  to  grant. 

Is  a  mind  independent  and  free. 
With  passion  unruffl'd  untaint'd  witti  pride, 

By  reason  my  life  let  me  square: 
The  wants  of  my  nature  are  chiefly  suppli'd, 

And  the  rest  is  but  folly  and  care." 

Indeed,  it  is  a  matter  of  but  little  consequence  with  me,  to 
hear,  that  this,  that,  or  the  other  man,  is  displeased  with  me, 
and  ^-utters  loud  swelling  words"  against  me.  One  among 
the  many  incontestible  evidences  I  have,  of  making  ad- 
vancements in  the  divine  life  is,  that  all  men  do  not  speak 
well  of  me.     I  rather  request  of  all,  who,  when  they  look 


293  A  NARRATIVE 

at  me,  have  a  blot  on  their  optics^  and  over  the  same 
spectacles  of  malice,  never  to  say  any  thing  in  my  favor. 
And  I  should  be  seriously  alarmed,  to  learn  certainly,  that  the 
community  at  large,  admire  me,  or  that  I  am  exceedingly 
popular.  I  hope,  therefore,  always  to  have  certain  ioin7iing 
ways  J  to  make  a  certain  class  of  human  beings  hate  me !  For 
by  this  I  shall  know,  1  am  in  the  road  to  a  better  world.  Said 
a  divine  personage,  "Wo  unto  you,  when  all  men  speak  well 
of  you !  for  so  did  their  fathers  of  the  false  prophets.  ^'  And 
again:  <*If  the  world  hate  you,  ye  know  that  it  hated  me  be- 
fore it  hated  you. '^  Again:  "If  ye  were  of  the  world  the 
world  would  love  his  own:  but  because  ye  are  not  of  the 
world,  but  I  have  chosen  you  out  of  the  w^orld,  therefore  the 
world  hateth  you. "  And  again :  "Blessed  are  ye,  when  men 
shall  revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and  shall  say  allTnanner 
of  evil  against  you  falsely,  for  my  sake.  Rejoice,  and  be  ex- 
ceeding glad:  for  great  is  your  reward  in  heaven:  for  so  per- 
secuted they  the  prophets  which  were  before  ycu."  And  to 
cap  the  climax,  Christ  says:  "If  the  world  hate  you,  ye  know 
that  it  hated  me  before  it  hated  you.^^  Now,  the  religion 
which  can  endure  these  things,  is  a  firm  and  effectual  support 
in  the  midst  of  every  calamity  to  which  a  believer  is  exposed. 
Is  the  christian  persecuted? — this  is  a  part  of  his  earthly  in- 
heritance. Is  he  visited  with  sickness? — he  anticipates  the 
period  when  pain  and  sorrow  shall  forever  flee  away.  Is  he 
oppressed  by  poverty? — he  reflects  with  peculiar  delight, 
upon  the  treasure  which  he  possesses  in  the  heavens.  In  a 
word,  he  knows  and  believes,  that  all  things  shall  work  to- 
gether for  his  good;  and  that  his  light  afflictions,  which  are 
but  for  a  moment,  shall  work  out  for  him  a  far  more  exceed- 
ing, even  an  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

But  I  AM  ALWAYS  QFARRELLiNG. — To  this  gravc  .charge, 
I  reply,  I  have,  it  is  true,  been  enga^red  in  several  judicial 
and  clerical  contests;  but  I  assert,  in  view  of  a  judgment  to 
come,  that  I  have  never  engaged  in  any  controversy  whatever, 
unless  I  myself,  my  brethren  in  the  ministry,  or  our  doctrines 
and  institutions,  have  first  been  assailed.  And  in  defence  of 
eacli,  or  all  of  these,  I  would  risk  as  many  characters,  lives 
and  fortunes,  if  I  had  them,  as  there  are  atoms  of  the  universe, 
or  minims  embodying  the  inimensity  of  space.  Yes,  should 
secret  calumnies  and  public  scandals,  private  associations  and 
public  testimonies,  ridicule,  and  satire,  poetry  and  prose, 
paragraphs  and  pamphlets,  dreams,  and  dialogues,  and  all  the 
presses  and  lying  tongues,  in  the  union,  be  employed  against 
me,  I  shall  nevertheless  maintain  the  truth.     For  1  have  em- 


OF  THE  IIFE,    &C  295l 

barked  in  the  glorious  enterprise  of  preaching  the  gospel, 
with  a  proportion  of  ambition  and  zeal,  and  with  a  persever- 
ance not  to  be  daunted  by  the  chilling  and  sickening  blasts  of 
])overty  and  persecution.  Therefore,  I  am  prepared  to  en- 
dure all  the  dreadful  consequences  of  sectarian  malice  and 
management,  even  shoukl  they  include — pains  and  penalties 
— bills  of  attainder— confiscation  of  estate — all  the  horrors  of 
ecclesiastical  ^nd  civil  war — nay,  death  upon  the  scaffold  ! 

Then  let  it  be  urged,  that  I  am,  and  always  have  been,/fa 
mover  of  seditions,'^ — the  pest  of  general  society,  and  the 
fruitful  source  of  domestic  broils;  or  a  being  whose  heart  is 
full  of  rancor  and  anim.osities,  jarring  affections,  and  dis- 
cordant and  malevolent  feelings!  Yes,  ring  my  death  knell 
from  steep  to  steep — let  its  swelling  sounds  be  heard  in  start- 
ling echoes,  mingling  with  the  rush  of  the  mountain's  torrent, 
and  the  mighty  cataract's  earthquake  voice!  Spread  the  un- 
furled banner  of  calumny  upon  every  breeze — let  it  float  in  the 
atmosphere  till  my  name  becomes  a  mockery  and  a  byword! 
Like  the  Phoenix,  in  newness  of  beauty  and  majesty,  amid 
the  fires  of  opposition,  I  hope  to  rise  to  victory  and  triumph. 
What  can  be  more  noble  than  to  brave  the  censure  of  disap- 
pointed ambition— to  bear  with  the  arrogance,  pride,  and  in- 
firmities of  a  priest-ridden  community,  and  blind  bigots,  for 
the  good  of  mankind!  To  suffer  all  this,  I  am  perfectly 
aware,  must  require  a  considerable  degree  of  moral  courage; 
and  I  think  I  possess  the  courage  that  can  endure  it  all,  and 
even  death  itself.  I  pretend  not  to  bea  candidate  for  the  honors 
ot  martyrdom,  yet,  I  should  feel  that  I  had  gone  down  to  my 
grave  disgraced,  did  I  not  incur  the  censure  and  abuse  of 
bloated  bigotrj^,  and  priestly  corruption. 

My  style  as  a  writer,  talents  as  a  preacher,  and 
MANNERS  AS  A  MAN. — When  I  write,  preach,  converse,  or 
mingle  with  society,  I  do  all  after  the  texture  so  to  speak,  of 
my  own  mind.  But  it  will  be  said,  I  am  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  and  that  no  temptation,  no  unjust  usage,  should  pro- 
voke me  to  come  down  from  my  high  abode,  and  seat  myself 
upon  the  dunghill  of  anger  and  revenge.  This  is  all  very 
true.  I  believe  the  scriptures  when  they  say,  ^'God  is  love; 
and  he  that  dwelleth  in  love,  dvvelleth  in  God."  i3ut  I  have 
yet  to  be  convinced  that  it  is  sinful  for  a  christian  to  defend 
himself,  and  that  too,  in  an  independent  and  pointed  way. 
As  it  respects  my  acco7nplishme7its,l  never  professed  to  have 
a  great  deal  of  polish  about  me,  nor  do  I  desire  to  be  polite. 

As  it  regards  my  intellectual  faculties,  I  never  believed  I 

was  a  Solomon.    I  have  never  been  able  as  yet,  by  my  flowino- 

z2  ^ 


20^  A  ¥AE?vATiyE 

eloquence,  and  manly  arguments,  or  the  incomparable  liveli- 
ness and  power  of  reasoning,  to  enable  a  congregation  to  see 
things  that  are  not.  I  could  never  induce  a  man  to  believe, 
by  the  magic  influence  of  a  long  whining  exhortation  or 
prayer,  that  twice  five  would  not  make  ten  in  America,  as 
well  as  in  France!  In  a  word,  I  never  thought  I  was  a  great 
man — I  never  desire  to  he  what  the  world  calls  a  great  man» 
No  verily: — 

"My  name  from  out  the  temple  where  the  dead 

Are  honored  by  the  nations — let  it  be — 

And  light  the  laurels  on  a  loftier  head! 

And  be  the  Spartan's  epitaph  on  me — 

Sparta  hath  many  a  worthier  son  than  he. " 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  siga  the  same  with  my  own  hand, 
this  seventeenth  day  of  October,  in  the  town  of  Knoxville, 
and  state  of  Tennessee,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  thirty-four,  and  in  the  fifty-ninth 
year  of  American  Independence. 

WILLIAM  G.  BROWNLOW. 


CONTENTS 


Page^- 


Dedication, 
Preface, 


j?^s5?  a 


CHAPTER  I. 

Rise,  progress  and  importance  of  Sunday  Schools.  15 

CHAPTER  H. 
Origin  and  design  of  the  American  Sunday  School 

Union. 21 

CHAPTER  HI. 
The  copy-right  question   and   the  American  Sunday 
School  Union — difference  in  the  sales  of  its  books 
to  different  unions  or  schools — different  denomina- 
tions represented  in  the  Union — the  Calvinists  have 
a  preponderating  influence,  &c.         -         -         -  26 
CHAPTER  IV. 
The  books  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  sec- 
tarian.      -- -34 

CHAPTER  V. 
Some  among  the  many  misrepresentations  made  by 
the  managers  and  agents  of  the  American  Sunday 

School  Union. -  40 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Correspondence  between  bishop  Otey  of  the  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  Church,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Shepherd, 
-egentof  the  American  Sunday  School  Union.       -       48 
CHAPTER  VII. 
Speeches  of  Messrs.  Powell  and  Burden,  in  the  Sen- 
ate of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  application 
of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  for  an  act  of 
incorporation.         -         -         -        -         -      -      -     58 

CHAPTER  VHI. 
American  Tract  Society — Its  origin — Principles — De- 
sign and  tendency.       - 71 

CHAPTER  IX. 
The  American  Home  Missionary  Society — its  ori- 
gin— its  principles  and  tendency.        -      -      -     -     78 


296  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  X. 

American  Bible  Society — its  rise  and   progress — im- 
prudent conduct  of  some  of  its  agents — the  whole 
Society  liable  to  be  abused,  &c.         -         -       -       -      86 

CHAPTER  XL 
Americnn  Education  Society — its  rise  and  progress — 
its  principles,  &C2         ___---       95 
CHAPTER  XH. 
The  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  foreign 
missions — the  rise  and  progress  of  this  Society — its 
true  character,  &c.       -       -         -         -         -         -       OS 

CHAPTER  XHI. 
American   Temperance    Society — its   rise   and   pro- 
gress— its  design,  &c.  &c.        -         -         -         «         103 
CHAPTER  XIV. 
The  American  Colonization  Society — its  rise  and  pro- 
gress— the  subject  of  slavery  considered.       -      -.     107 

CHAPTER  L 

Western  Virginia,  a  moral  waste.         -        -        -         113 

CHAPTER  H. 
Kentucky  almost  destitute.       -       -         -        -       -       117 

CHAPTER  HI. 
The  province  of  Upper  Canada  p  great  moral  waste        119 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Delaware  county,  in  New  York,  a  great  moral  waste.     121 

CHAPTER  V. 
Five  millions  of  people  in  the  United  States  are  still 
without  a  preached  gospel.         -         -         -         -       124 

CHAPTER  VI. 
State  of  Indiana,  a  great  moral  waste.         -       -       -       128 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Arkansaw  Territory,  a  great  moral  waste.       -       -        132 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Missouri  a  moral  waste.       -       -         -       -  -       135 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Ariderson  county  in  East  Ten. ,  a  great  moral  waste.       1 38 

CHAPTER  X. 
Strawberry  Plains,  Jefferson  county,  East  Tennessee, 
a  moral  waste.         -         -         -         -         -         -         141 

CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Mary  ville  Intelligencer  against  the  Methodist  cler- 
gy-        -        - -       145 


CONTENTS 


297 


CHAPTER  XII. 
Review  of  Rev.  Wimpey's  catechism  on  church  gov- 
ernment. -  -         -*         -         '       -      loa 

CHAPTER  I. 

The  New  England  clerg;y  opposed  to  the  war  of  1812.     1G7 

CHAPTER  II. 
Address  of  the  charitable  society  of  New  England.      170 

CHAPTER  III. 
Effects  of  the  laws  of  Connecticut.         -         -         -      173 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Extracts  from  a  discourse  delivered  on  the  4th  of  July, 
1827,   in  the  7th  Presbyterian  church  in  Philadel- 
phia, entitled  ^^theduty  of  christian  freemen  to  elect 
christian  rulers,"  by  Ezra  Stiles  Ely,  D.  D.  Pastor 
of  the  3d  Presbyterian  church  in  that  city.         -       177 
CHAPTER  V. 
Ambitious  designs  of  the  Presbyterian  ministry,  or, 
the  case  termed  ^'^murder  will  out,"  or,   an  account 
of  the  great  Presbyterian  plot,  relative  to  "a  central 
society,"  in  1828.  -         -         -         -         -      -     182 

CHAPTER  VI. 
History  and  mystery  of  a  certain  41  dollars  and  44 
cents.       - ^^'^ 

CHAPTER  I. 

Calvinism  in  its  true  colors,  as  contained  in  the  wri- 
tin2;s  of  John  Calvin.     -        -         -        -      -       -     20o 

CHAPTER  II. 
Genuine  Calvinism,  as  contained  in  the  Westminster 
Confession  of  Faith.         ..         -         -         -       209 
CHAPTER  HI. 
Calvinism,  as  contained  in  the  Larger  and  Shorter  cate- 
chisms of  the  Presbyterian  church.       -         -         -     213 
CHAPTER  IV. 
Hopkinsian  Calvinism,  as  contained  in  Doctor  Hop- 
idns's  sermons,  and  system  of  divinity.       -       -       215 
CHAPTER  V. 
Hopkinsian  Calvinism,  as  set  forth  in  a  work  called  the 
^ 'Seven  Conversations  between  Athanasius  and  Do- 
eilis,  on  theological  subjects,"  -        -        -        221 


298 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

A  brief  notice  of  Rev.  Abel  Pearson's  ^^Analysis  of 
the  principles  of  the  divine  government, m  a  series 

of  conversations,  &c." 225 

CHAPTER  Vn. 

A  brief  notice  of  a  work  entitled,  *  ^Questions  on  the 
system  of  didactic  theology,  taught  in  the  southern 
and  western  theological  seminary. "  -         -         229 

CHAPTER  VHL 

A  brief  notice  of  the  doctrines  of  the  leading  denomin- 
ations in  our  country,  and  a  word  of  advice  to  those 
who  think  of  uniting  with  some  church.         -      -      233' 

NARRATIVE 

Of  the  life,  travels,  and  circumstances  incident  there- 
to,   of   William   G.   Brovvnlow — Preliminary   re- 
marks.        .         -         -         -         -  _         -         241 

Parentage  242 — death  of  his  father — idem — born  and 

raised  in  Wythe  county,  Va.         -         -         -       .      243 
Obtained  religion  at  Sulphur  Springs,  20  miles  east  of 
Abingdon.       -         -         -         -         -         -         -         lb. 

Was  received  into  the  travelling  connection  on  trial  in 
the  fall  of  1826,  and  appointed  to  Black  water  cir- 
cuit in  N.  C. 244 

Near  freezing  to  death. 245 

Account  of  the  conference  in  Knoxville  in  1827.  -  246 
Was  appointed  to  French  Broad  circuit,  and  then  to 

the  Mary  ville  circuit. Ibid 

Account  of  a  Hopkinsian  sacramental  meeting  at  Ma- 
ry ville — Mr.  Minis's  sermon.         -         -         -     -     247 

Account  of  Mr.  Brown's  sermon  at  Louisville.         -       lb 
Returns  1o  former  circuit — wars   among  the  Hopkin- 
sians — scramble  among  the  Hopkinsian  preachers 
for  the  money  collected — one  of  them  claims  and 
keeps  the  most  of  it — ludicrous  account  of  their  dis- 
persion.        -         -         -         -         -         -        -     -     248 

Account  of  the  head  waters  of  French  Broad.  -       lb 

Conference  meets  in  Jonesboro' in  1828.  -         -     24^ 

Receives  deacon's  orders,  and  appointed  to  travel  in 
Washington  circuit.         -         -         -         -       -       -      lb 

Controversy  and  law  suit  with  a  Hopkinsian  elder.  -  lb 
Travels  through  the  Cherokee  nation.  -  .  -  251 
Singing  and  praying  of  the  Indians.  -  ,  -  -lb 
Conferencemeetingin  Abingdon  in  1829.  -  -  252 
,  Appointed  to  the  Athens  circuit 76 


CONTENTS.  299 

Meeting  of  Conference  in  1830,  in  Greene  county.  256 
Received  Elder's  orders,  and  appointed  to  travel  in 

Tellico  circuit. /^ 

Account  of  his  controversy  with  agents  of  the  Amer- 
ican Sunday  School  Union,  &c.  -  -  _  257 
Meeting  of  Conference  in  Athens  in  1831.  -  .  259 
Appointed  to  Franklin  circuit,  in  North  Carolina.  Jb 
Involved  in  another  law  suit  with  a  baptist  preacher.  lb 
Account  of  this  transaction,  &c.  -  -  -  -  lb 
Expels  several  members  for  drunkenness.  -  -  261 
Elected  a  delegate  to  attend  general  conference  in  Phil- 
adelphia in  1832.  -  -  -  _  .  .  262 
Spends  a  week  in  Washington — introduction  to  Gen. 

Jackson.  -         -         -         .         .         _         -lb 

Proceeds  to  Baltimore— preaches  to  the  convicts  in 

the  penitentiary  there,         -         -         ...      26'6 
Proceeds  to  Philadelphia.  -         -         -         .  2g4 

Conference  meets  in  Evansham  in  1832.  -  _  265 
Appointed  to  Tugalow  circuit.  -         -         -       -      lb 

Presbyterian  and  Baptist  clergymen  in  South  Carolina, 

preaching  nullification.       -       .         _         _         .       266 
Account  of  the  Tulelee  falls  in  Habersham  county, 

Georgia.         -         -  .        .         .         .        ^QS 

Decision  and  account  of  the  law  suit  in  North  Carolina.  369 
In  1833,  Conference  met  at  Kingsport.  -  -  .  *  275 
Appointed  to  travel  on  Dandridge  circuit.  -  _  /^ 
The  meteoric  phenomenon  accounted  for.       -        -       276 

Steam  doctors,  &c.         - 2S1 

Holston  Seminary,  &c.  -  -  .  _  _  gcj 
Meeting  of  Conference  in  Knoxville  in  1834.  -  285 
Conclusion,  --         -        -        .        .        .        -290 


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